Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 6/20

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 199-63-41-19 / $319.90 (-$78.10)

BEST BETS: 13-9-2-0 / $26.90 (+$.90)

SPOT PLAYS: 14-1-3-4 / $3.80 (-$24.20)

BEST BET: SUPER CHAPTER (8th)

SPOT PLAY: WATER SPORTS TEEN (9th)

Race 1: Trackmaster 68 (NW L4 69) or less - Pick 5

(2) PARKLANE TERROR has done good work from inside posts in this class despite the winless record in 2026. There seems to be enough early speed signed on to set him up from off cover. (5) STONE COLD SAVAGE and (7) PACK YOUR BAGS are two of those potential speed players and if they somehow lineup one-two without working too hard, both are dangerous. (4) DCO DANCER and (3) LUNATIC FRINGE are both dropping back down to the level of their last wins two starts back.

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Race 2: Non-winners $5,000 (NW L2 $5,500) in last 5/TM 84.5 (NW L3 87.38) or less

(5) NATURALBORN LEADER is one of many horses getting class relief but he’s taking a next-level drop and may still offer fair value given his recent finishes and driver. (2) ALWAYS B GIBBY was second in a very fast mile last time and tonight he gets Dunn in the bike. (4) CENTURY HEINEKEN went a bit too fast on the front last time. The road to the top should be a bit easier this week. (7) CAPTAIN MARVEL gets a catch driver back in the bike.

Race 3: Graduate Trot 4YO Open - Pick 6

(3) MESHUGGAH tucked and took a big shot at (2) ON TO NORWAY before weakening some mid-stretch in his first start of the year. He dropped four seconds off his qualifier in that effort and maybe he can take a step forward here at healthy odds. The latter is obviously the horse to beat off a powerful 1:49 3/5 win. (1) GO DOG GO turned the corner last time but still probably comes with too much risk to accept anything under 3-1.

Race 4: Trackmaster 68 (NW L4 69) or less

(6) MY WISH CAME TRUE has come close to victory in consecutive starts and you have to like that he’ll probably be on the engine again versus a dull field. (1) SEEUINNASHVILLE A has been done in by outside posts lately. Veteran could be a big threat. (9) HUNGRY FOR PROFITS gets a new driver this week and perhaps that will make a difference.

Race 5: Trackmaster 77.5 (NW 2L4 79.5) or less

This is an extremely tight-knit group and almost any of them can win depending on how the pace scenario sets up and what trip they get. With that, I’ll take a swing for the fences with (1) TRUSTED FRIEND, who raced well at the back of the pack upon arrival last week and should be able to sit close behind a rather quick potential pace. (3) GALANTE A won in this class the last time Gingras drove a few starts back. (2) LMC PEANUTS WATCHN has just missed in consecutive starts in the TM77 condition.

Race 6: Graduate Pace 4YO Open - $50K GTD Pick 4

(1) SWINGTOWN just missed in the best mile I’ve seen from him in a very long time. Let’s consider that an indication of a reawakening from this guy and take the likely good price. (4) CAPTAIN OPTIMISTIC is certainly the one to beat after posting the first sub 1:47 mile of the year. (6) GO GO GRASSHOPPER could be interesting if he clears the front without working too hard and can set reasonable fractions. (5) PRINCE HAL HANOVER is very capable of winning this race with any reasonable trip.

Race 7: NJSDF 3YO Filly Pace Final

(6) SUNNY STATION was clearly best in the preliminary round last week and I see no reason she won’t be best again with the big money on the line. (1) SHE STINGS was used on the front and disappointed a bit as the chalk last week. She gets a chance to make amends here. (5) CAR KEYS seems to be win-shy as she settles for second way too often for my liking. I’ll use her underneath only. (8) STING GIRL

Race 8: Graduate Trot 4YO Open - Pick 5

(1) SUPER CHAPTER couldn’t have been more impressive in his 4-year-old debut and it is hard to imagine him losing this race. (2) DELANEY HANOVER went a nice even mile to start her seasonal campaign and she can certainly build off that attempt. (5) MONSERRATE made a costly break at the onset yet still trotted in 1:51 2/5 a week ago. A rebound is possible but he’ll need a lifetime best to threaten the top one.

Race 9: Non-winners $10,500 (NW L2 $12,500) in last 5/TM 86 (NW L2 88.09) or less

(1) WATER SPORTS TEEN comes off what looks like an awful performance. I’d argue that you should disregard that line since it was versus better in a crazy-fast 1:47 1/5 mile. This is a spot where he should shine. (2) SOUTH BEACH STAR should get away somewhat close to the action. His best is good enough to win. (8) EFFINGHAM is up in class but has some speed and form.

Race 10: Graduate Pace 4YO Open - $50K GTD Pick 4

(7) FALLOUT was stung to a 53 2/5 half and still battled hard to lose by only a length in a 1:46 4/5 mile last time. Burke trainee seems worth sticking with in this division. (6) CRACK SHOT couldn’t have been much better winning at Mohawk last time. You have to like that he has the early speed to make his own trip. (1) BRUNO NO NO NO can’t seem to find the right trip and starting from pylon position could put him in a first-over spot once again. (9) SMOOTH DREAM was perhaps a bit short in start one of 2026, or maybe the soft half hurt his chances since he finished in 26 seconds. I wouldn’t be opposed to taking a flyer with him on top or in the exotics.

Race 11: NJSDF 3YO C&G Pace Final

(1) BOOKIE J looks like a 2-5 favorite that is likely going to find a way to get the job done. (3) THISBEESTINGS DEO and (2) EVERLAST STING DEO could be overlooked a bit as the second and third choices on the bottom of the top pick in the exactas. They can both finish well and shouldn’t have to work hard for position like (9) OBLITERATE. He was super in victory last Friday but has to tackle a tough post and some potential early speed to his inside.

Race 12: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73) or less

(6) KNOCKIN OUT is clearly the sharpest horse in this field and the driver change is another plus. (1) MIKI ON THE RUN drops down and sheds his amateur driver; contender. (7) MIDNIGHT THUNDER drops for a barn that does well on that angle.

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Race 13: Trackmaster 80.5 (NW L2 82.5) or less

(1) CRUSH KILL DESTROY isn’t one of my favorite horses but does seem to land in the best spot he has seen in some time. Perhaps Bartlett will step on the gas behind the gate and see how far he can go. (4) GOODBYE STRANGER also has some early speed and certainly has the best form of the field. (5) BLANK STARE took a big shot when last here two starts back. A cleaner trip could produce better results.

Race 14: Trackmaster 74.5 (NW L2 76.5) or less/Opt. $10,000 Clm.

(1) UWAITILLGOFIRST has been sitting on a win but bad luck in terms of trip and competition have kept him from picture time. This looks like it could be his night. (4) AERICAN MERCURY exits the amateur ranks again. His last time in a TM came in a higher class. (5) SONO CONFUSO could be an interesting player here if he fires off the gate like on May 9. (6) CAPTAIN CARTER steps up in fine form and should get at least a piece if not more.