Meadowlands: Saturday 7/27 Analysis

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 89 - 287 / $463.80 (-$110.20)
BEST BETS: 13 - 21 / $45.60 (+$3.60)
Race 1 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 8 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
Best Bet: FILIBUSTER HANOVER (2nd)
Spot Play: MILLIES POSSESION (5th)
Race 1 – Trackmaster Rating 75 or less - $25K GTD Pick 5
(6) STEADY PULSE showed some life last time on the drop to this class and seems worth following in a dull field. (9) MAKE IT BIG comes off a nice try and should offer value with the trainer driving. He could definitely fire this one off the gate. (3) BUCKEYE CHROME seems likely to get put in play but rarely wins. (2) DOWN ON MAINSTREET took four weeks off and perhaps that has helped.

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Race 2 – Non-winners $15,000 in last 5 starts
Trainer Ron Burke dropped Dorsoduro Hanover in a similar move to this class last week and posted a career best 1:47 4/5 win. Now (5) FILIBUSTER HANOVER gets the same class relief for the top conditioner and I’m expecting a similar result. (1) JK WILDFIRE is clearly in form and posted a career best mile last week. Four-year-old is getting better and better. (2) K RYAN BLUECHIP has the class and does well on this track.
Race 3 – Trackmaster Rating 80 or less
(3) DAVID THE SAINT displayed speed at both ends of the mile last week versus a better all-around field than he tackles tonight. (2) PERSEVERANT gets a change of scenery and is capable of stepping up in a spot like this one. (7) JUST N BERLANDER is back in the Trackmaster condition and could revive. (6) B WELL comes off a win. A repeat effort would make him a major player.
Race 4 – Golden Receiver Final
(4) HIGHALATOR exits a much tougher spot and shouldn’t have much trouble making the lead and imposing his will on the field. (6) WESTERN JOE picked up some confidence last time and is capable of stepping up. (5) TRUMP NATION is a closing threat but I’m worried that he won’t get the right setup.
Race 5 – Hambletonian Oaks Elim #1
(8) MILLIES POSSESION has done everything right in her career. Regardless of trip or pace scenario she seems to come out on top. Until someone proves they can beat her, I’m on board, especially considering she’s unlikely to be odds-on with Evident Beauty in the race. (3) SEASIDE BLISS found some tactical speed last week and that helped her to a lifetime best mile. Maybe this daughter of Cantab Hall is getting better at the right time. (1) EVIDENT BEAUTY is clearly talented but hasn’t blown me away enough to accept under 2-1 odds versus such a talented group. (5) SONNET GRACE picked up her game last time but loses Lasix here. How does that affect her?
Race 6 – Non-winners $10,000 in last 5 starts
(6) CITY HALL gets written into this class on the Trackmaster condition. While it looks like a class hike, this field isn’t much tougher (if at all) than what he took on last week. (4) WHITTAKER N dropped to this condition and had no shot from post 10. Don’t count him out with Tetrick joining the team. (3) BRAVO TEX N tends to get big checks, so use him on all underneath spots on your exotic tickets. (5) CHANGE STRIDE N reunites with Gingras. He got a career best mile out of this veteran two starts back.
Race 7 – G Notes Final
(5) CONSTNTLYSIDEWYS A definitely got lucky to win last week but I expect Callahan will be more proactive in this spot and look to get into the outer flow from a perfect post. (6) KIWI IDEAL N & (3) SERIOUS MAJOR look like the speed of the race and either is capable of taking the field a long way. (2) FIRST CLASS HORSE overcame post nine a week ago but will need a good trip here in a race with plenty of contenders.
Race 8 – Hambletonian Oaks Elim #2 - $50K GTD Pick 4
Some selections are based on pure facts and others on feel. (5) WHEN DOVESCRY has been brought along patiently by trainer Rene Allard and I’ve had the feeling all along that he wasn’t going to let her loose until the Oaks. Standout rookie trotter last year should offer more than fair value here if you believe she is ready to pop. (8) THE ICE DUTCHESS dealt with some serious loss of momentum in the Del Miller. Gingras should have her forwardly placed and she’s another who could offer a bit of value. (3) BEAUTIFUL SIN had a slow start this year but is getting better with every start; don’t sleep on her. (4) CLOUD NINE FASHION has been the most impressive of this group in recent weeks, but she loses Lasix here. I’m not sure if it will matter but I don’t want a short price to find out.
Race 9 – Reynolds Memorial
A bunch of these are no doubt looking to step up to show they belong in the Hambletonian next week. (2) CANTAB FASHION is one of the group and while normally I’d think they might race him more patiently, starting from post 2 with two in the second tier behind him might force an aggressive move on the backstretch. He’s loaded with talent and could prove tough to beat if ready to roll. (11) SWANDRE THE GIANT raced big in the Stanley Dancer. Was it the Lasix? Was it the removal of his shoes? Either way, he’s a major player. (5) SHEENA’S BOY is clearly going to the front and needs a big mile if he is to get his connections to enter in the big dance on August 3. (7) MR VICKTOR is another that is clearly getting a test to see how he stacks up. If you like him, demand value.
Race 10 – Non-winners $22,500 in last 5 starts
(9) MANCHEGO looked to be sitting on a big mile but didn’t fire in the Hambletonian Maturity without Lasix. The medication returns this week and I really expect to see her best. (5) MARION MARAUDER put in a useful qualifier on July 20 and should be ready to put in a decent mile in preparation for the Cashman next week. (6) SPEEDING SPUR N displayed good late trot behind #5 last time and now makes his stateside debut. (1) TOP FLIGHT ANGEL has speed and good form but tackles a much tougher group this week.
Race 11 – Non-winners $22,500 in last 5 starts
(5) DECOY could be a deep sleeper in a field that is loaded with potential early speed players. Four-year-old is not that far behind this group in ability that he can’t shock them from second or third over. (8) WHEELS ON FIRE woke up with a big mile last time and he could be one of the last to the front, which means he’ll likely be sitting in a good spot. (3) HAYDEN HANOVER has the fastest lifetime mark of the group but got a tough trip when last seen; certainly capable. (2) THE WALL has to prove he is fast enough to win, but as a closer in a field with speed, he could have a chance.
Race 12 – Non-winners 4/6 races or $50,000/$75,000 life
(4) CAVIART ROCKLAND drops way down in company and has no excuses. (3) WORLD ON EDGE has early speed and a bit of talent. He should be in a good spot. (1) WESTERN EXPOSURE has yet to miss the board this year; using underneath.
Race 13 – Non-winners $3,500 in last 5 starts
(4) IDEAL CHILL drops for the third straight week and now gets a good post to go with the class relief. This is a spot where he should show up with a big mile. (6) SPIRIT OF TRUTH got aggressive last week and couldn’t last the mile. I’ll give him one more shot but expect slightly less aggressive handling. (9) LYONS WILLIAM was also used hard last time. That was his first start for this barn and one can assume he might improve. (8) SADIQ HANOVER faces a softer grup and picks up Tetrick.