Back to the Track Saturday - Meadowlands

Saturday, the main event of Back to the Track will be conducted at the Meadowlands with a $150,000 guaranteed Pick 4 pool which includes the $1 million Meadowlands Pace and a $166,000 division of the Stanley Dancer Memorial; the last prep race at the Meadowlands prior to the Hambletonian eliminations.  In addition to these races, the Tarport Hap, Meadowlands Pace consolation and the finals of the NJSS for 2yos will be contested.

In the Tarport Hap, See You At Peelers will be going for her twentieth straight victory.  This race may be here toughest race so far with a field of talented fillies.  One slight mistake may be all that is needed for streak-breaking upset.

The Meadowlands Pace is a wide-open affair.  While I won't say this crop is a poor one, it is an evenly matched crop and virtually anyone can take top honors.  Look for the possibility of a competitive race with nice payoffs.  Overall, the entire card provides for some good betting opportunities.

I will provide my selections for the entire card with more detailed analysis where I feel appropriate.  For those who have not been following the Meadowlands with regularity, there is a $.50 Pick 5 with a 15%  takeout starting in race 1.

Meadowlands, Saturday, July 16, 2011

1st Trot - $175,000; NJSS 2yo fillies
  2 - Southbeachprincess (D Miller, 9-2)
  3 - Upside Hanover (Sears, 8-1)
10 - Vanity Treasure (Tetrick, 3-1)

2nd Trot - $175,000; NJSS 2yo colts and geldings
5 - Blomkvist (Pierce, 3-1)
3 - Vic Smith (A Miller, 2-1)
9 - Little Brown Fox (D Miller, 5-1)

3rd Pace - $175,000l NJSS 2yo fillies
7 - Rockaround Sue (D Miller, 9-2)
4 - I've Got A Feeling (Brennan, 7-2)
2 - Notreadtobenice (Gingras, 3-1)

4th Pace - $22,000; NW $16,000 Last 5
  1 - All Speed Hanover (Pierce, 9-2)
  6 - Veal Marsala (Allard, 7-2)
  9 - Lennon Blue Chip (D Miller, 5-1)
10 - Beignet (Teague)

5th Pace - $127,000; Tarport Hap - 3yo fillies
  1 - I Kill Time (Allard, 20-1) - Well prepped with qualifiers but that may still not be enough.
  2 - What's New Pussycat (Brennan, 15-1) -  Finished 2nd to the big one last start.  Has ability; threat.
  3 - Pardon (Lachance, 15-1) - Illinios bred horse aiming high here.  Don't see.
  4 - Honky Tonk Woman (Gingras, 15-1) - High caliber filly is not out of it.  Consider.
  5 - Idyllic (D Miller, 8-1) - Soon to be millionaire will need to wait another week.
  6 - Rocklamation (A Miller, 10-1) - Winner of Historic Series is not to be ignored for share.
  7 - See You At Peelers (Sears, 4-5) - Field deep enough that one mistake may be all that is needed.  A question of value.
  8 - Krispy Apple (Tetrick, 4-1) - Has been considered the main threat to #7,  Draws poorly.
  9 - Emilio's Stride (Simpson, 20-1) - The one easy throw out it in this race.
10 - Pretty Katherine (B Miller, 10-1) - Shows an occasional good effort.  Not tonight.
11 - Myluvmylife (Pierce, 20-1) - Appears to be in deep over her head.  Pass.
Selections: 8-7-4 

6th Trot - $166,000; Stanley Dancer Memorial - 3yo Open 1st Division
1 - Live Jazz (Sears, 15-1) - Can't see in this field.
2 - Broad Bahn (Brennan, 7-2) - Has been consistent deserving label as one of the best of the crop.
3 - Whit (Whittemore, 15-1) - Has the speed to land share with a good trip.
4 - Charlie De Vie (Tetrick, 4-1) - Has been near flawless of late but this will be a real test.
5 - Dejarmbro (Smedshammer, 5-2) - Has been a monster of late.  This is his Hambo.
6 - Manofmanymissions (A Miller, 5-1) - Has been frustrating this year.  Pass.
7 - Luckycharm Hanover (D Miller, 15-1) - Out of his league.
8 - Pastor Stephen (Pierce, 3-1) - Draws bad and may not be at his peak.  Want to see more.
Selections: 5-2-3  

7th Pace - $175,000; NJSS 2yo colts and geldings
2  - E Street Plan (Brennan, 12-1)
7 - Ideal Champ (Gingras, 10-1) 
8 - I Fought Dalaw (D Miller, 3-1)
5 - Time To Roll (Sears, 9-2)

8th Pace - $15,000; NW $11,000 Last 5 Starts 
5 - Mr Massimo (Gingras, 9-2)
9 - Master Stroke (Sears, 3-1)
1 - Nova Artist (Pierce, 15-1)

9th Pace - $1,000,000; Meadowlands Pace - 3yo Open
  1 - Westwardho Hanover (B Miller, 15-1) - Reality hit last week.  Will suck along and hope for share.
  2 - Big Jim (Hudon, 2-1) - Went back to his 'A' game and was victorious.  Obvious favorite.
  3 - Custard The Dragon (Teague, 4-1) - Not my first choice but I expect higher odds.  May be worth a shot.
  4 - Feel Like A Fool (Sears, 12-1) -  May be read to finally pop.  My pick in this race.
  5 - Win N Atcha (Gingras, 15-1) - Draws midfield and should improve.  May get in exotics.
  6 - Powerful Mist (A Miller, 5-1) - Has been on the verge.  Wouldn't shock me.
  7 - Betterthancheddar (D Miller, 10-1) -  Will be luck to land share.
  8 - Roll With Joe (Pierce, 6-1) - Should improve off first start back.  Has been under the radar.
  9 - Bestofbest Hanover (Lachance, 15-1) - Just don't see it from out here.
10 - Foreclosure N (Tetrick, 10-1) - Would be something to have first NZ bred win this race.  Post takes care of this.
 Selections: 4-2-8-3

10th Trot - $166,000; Stanley Dancer Memorial - 3yo Open 2nd Division 
1 - Mystical Hall (Gingras, 8-1) - Steps up in class.  A toss.
2 - Evil Urges (Whittemore, 5-1) - Has been racing well and returns to a large oval which is a plus.  My pick.
3 - Chapter Seven (Lachance, 3-1) - No doubt of class but makes first start of the year.  Looking ahead? 
4 - Big Rigs (Tetrick, 5-2) - Jumped off-stride in last.  Has not raced well in open company thus far this year.
5 - Big Sky Storm (D Miller, 15-1) - Another one outclassed.
6 - Mr Web Page (Sears, 6-1) - Steps up big time but undefeated this year.  Deserves a chance.
7 - Pegasus Blue Chip (Pierce, 9-2) - Has not raced well in the big races.  Pass.
Selections: 2-4-3

11th Pace - $17,000; NW 4 PM LT - 3 and 4yos
9 - Mr Tommy Fra (Tetrick, 2-1)
4 - Waldy Jimmy (A Miller, 10-1)
1 - Strange Hanover (Pierce, 15-1)

12th Pace - $100,000; Meadowlands Pace Consolation
4 - Up The Credit (Sears, 6-5)
1 - High Noon (Pierce, 9-2)
7 - Sir Ziggy's Z Tam (Lachance, 10-1)

13th Pace - $11,250; NW $6,600 L5 NJSO
5 - Devil's Embrace N (Gingras, 5-2)
2 - Beau Rivage N (Tetrick, 5-1)
4 - Born To Rockn Roll (Lachance, 10-1)
1 - Heart Of Rocknroll (Hudon, 10-1)


Meet George Anthony, track announcer at Ocean Downs as well as horse trainer at the Meadowlands in this interview with Heather Moffett on her Post Time show.

.