CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 187-59-36-33 / $351.80 (-$22.20) BEST BETS: 14-3-6-1 / $11.20 (-16.80) SPOT PLAYS: 14-4-4-2 / $35.80 (+$7.80) BEST BET: PERFECT STING (11th) SPOT PLAY: LYONS SENTINEL (6th) Race 1: Geers Stake 2-year-old Colts & Geldings - Pick 5 (1) ATLAS HANOVER was a professional winner in his first qualifier and kicked home with a "wow" final quarter to win very impressively last Saturday. Captaintreacherous-sired colt looks like the real deal but faces some other very nice youngsters. (2) RIVER NESS drifted out a bit wide into the lane in his lone qualifier but charged home like a freight train once straightened away. There is clearly talent here and Miller chose him over (7) TREACHEROUS TOM, who lacks a win but did pace a 1:53 2/5 mile to be second at Gaitway. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: Tompkins Memorial 2-year-old Colts & Geldings (5) GLOBAL PANDEMIC was a bit antsy sitting in the pocket in his lone qualifier despite good fractions but certainly responded nicely when shown daylight. Cantab Hall colt is a half-brother to four $100K-plus earners from five siblings who raced. (6) WALL OF MONI took his time to hit high gear but certainly looked good once there in his baby race and the Walner 2-year-olds have certainly looked the part. (4) S I P made three moves in defeat, which certainly says something about the heart of this Bar Hopping colt. (8) TANGLEWILD ROAD absolutely flew home but we still don't know much since that was only a 2:02 3/5 mile. He's worth longshot consideration. [DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Meadowlands card at DRF Bets.com!] Race 3: Geers Stake 2-year-old Colts & Geldings - Survivor 7 While I wasn't able to see the qualifier by (3) PICKUP MAN HANOVER, you have to come away impressed when a 2-year-old can sprint home in 27 2/5 off a 29 4/5 third quarter on a half-mile track. Family gave us Photobombr Hanover (1:49/$387K) so there is hope this Huntsville gelding could be good. (4) I DID IT MYWAY is appropriately named on the Frank Sinatra spectrum as the first foal from Flyme To The Moon. This colt was handled more conservatively in his first qualifier but got a taste of the front last time and loved it. (6) SILVERSTONE held sway versus a fast-charging Riverness while under some light whip taps, so you might want to move him up if that one wins the opener. Mare has one other foal to reach $100K and it happens to be the only full sister to this guy. Race 4: Tompkins Memorial 2-year-old Fillies (5) PEYTON HANOVER absolutely exploded in the stretch while almost completely on her own in winning her lone qualifier. So far this $400,000 Muscle Hill yearling purchase seems to have a future. (1) PINK GYPSY was a solid winner under only some light taps of the whip. Father Patrick-sired filly is a full sister to $1.5 million winner Amigo Volo and $470K winner Reign Of Honor. (2) AMERICAN BEAUTY could be the favorite here after posting the fastest time in the field, but she did seem a bit green at the head of the stretch throwing her head around and ultimately lost her qualifier. I'd need a price to consider her. Race 5: Graduate Trot 3rd Leg (4) READY FOR MONI has been handled patiently through two races thus far this year and I can see that changing ahead of the final to get him in peak form. Let's look for early speed and a good trip behind the sharp (7) IT’S ACADEMIC, who has won five of 10 races in 2021 and both Graduate preliminary legs. (2) HYPNOTIC AM was driven more aggressively last time and the result was a very sharp win. My gut says she reverts to her prior tactics since she doesn't need points to make the final. She'll be closing fast if close enough to win. (6) GANGSTER HANOVER has kept up in both Graduate legs this year but needs points to get into the final. Is there a chance we could see early speed at big odds? Race 6: Kissin In The Sand Final - $50K GTD Pick 4 (2) LYONS SENTINEL took a shot first-over into somewhat slow fractions for the class and came up a head shy last Friday. In a field that seems to lack early speed, I see an early brush in her future this time around. (4) RACINE BELL finally got a Big M win last time and could potentially be the lone speed again this week, though a horse like (5) PEAKY SNEAKY, who seems to be coming around, might take a shot as well. (7) KEEP ROCKIN A has been pace dependent, which could put her in a bad spot this week. Race 7: Winners 2-5 (NW in 2021 6) or $75,000 life This is some stacked group for a Non-winners-of-6 event. (7) SUMMA CUM LAUDE seemed to very much appreciate the addition of Lasix two weeks back in the qualifier and with just two starts under his belt and big races approaching, may be looking to stretch his legs a bit on the lead in this spot. The only big question here is why Dunn chose #2. (5) ONE EIGHT HUNDRED took a step back on the sloppy track last time but we can forgive one off day; big threat. (6) SOUTH BEACH STAR was indeed a star winning in 1:48 1/5 here on June 5. He's won three straight and is hard to ignore. (2) ROCKYROAD HANOVER also has a winning streak but steps way up in class; big test. Race 8: 3-year-old Filly Open - Pick 6 (6) TEST OF FAITH was the fastest 2-year-old of 2020 and just missed a track record at Saratoga in her 2021 without even breaking a sweat. She's the best sophomore pacing filly from where I stand until another horse proves otherwise. (3) MARSALA HANOVER was used hard last time out and paid the price when she weakened to third. A better rip can produce a better result. (7) BLUE DIAMOND EYES held her own versus older foes a week ago and should be sent hard off the gate for position here. (1) THEBEACHISCALLING hasn't finished worse than second yet this year. Race 9: Graduate Pace 4th Leg The best advice here would be to avoid the favorite because whatever the price it will be too low. (5) CATTLEWASH raced very well to finish third in his first start since November and should only be tighter off that performance. Fastest horse of 2020 needs a win here to guarantee a spot in the final. (7) WARRAWEE VITAL has been on the short side of the wire three times already this year but always seems to bring a top effort regardless of circumstance. (4) SANDBETWEENMYTOES & (6) ELVER HANOVER are both in need of good efforts to reach the final. Neither has been spectacular in 2021 but both have shown enough to be involved at a price. (1) CAPTAIN BARBOSSA has proved he can go with any horse when on his game but as a lock for the final, I'll wait until next time on him. (2) RUTHLESS HANOVER is the point leader and certainly a big factor in this race. As one of the chalks along with #1, I'll steer clear. Race 10: Graduate Trot 3rd Leg - $50K GTD Pick 4 (4) BEADS was outsprinted in the second leg of the series in a strong showing. He didn't seem quite as sharp as his previous start and deserves a second chance in what looks like the softer division tonight. (2) AMIGO VOLO improved back on the mile track in his last start and could be sitting the pocket behind the top pick. (7) RAMONA HILL qualified back well but seems to be in a tough spot to start her year, stuck on the outside of the gate with perhaps the whole field to pass late...unless they decide to leave the gate, which seems unlikely despite needing a win to make the final. Race 11: Non-winners $12,500 (NW L2 $14,375) in last 5/AE: 3-year-olds (5) PERFECT STING might be facing older horses but quite frankly he's better than them. Top-ranked 3-year-old qualified brilliantly and should get the job done. (7) COVERED BRIDGE gets some needed class relief in terms of condition level and should be firing off the gate. (2) FRANCO TOTEM N picked up some confidence last weekend and has the back class to hang with most of these. (8) SHAKE THAT HOUSE comes off a huge performance but needs to find early speed to succeed from this post. That is a tall order since #5 and #7 could be gunning. Race 12: Preferred Handicap/TM 97.25 or less (6) BACKSTREET SHADOW pulled off the upset last weekend versus a better group. I expect we might see him take charge this time. (7) WESTERN JOE remains sharp and does some of his best work over this surface. (5) WES DELIGHT takes a giant step up off a pair of wins and his recent times say he fits. [DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Meadowlands card at DRF Bets.com!] Race 13: Non-winners $9,000 in last 5 or 5 (NW L3 6) races life/TM 84.9 or less/Opt. $22,500 Clm. (2) IMA REAL LADYS MAN gets into the race off the Also Eligible list and seems like a great fit. He dropped in class last week but got caught in a 1:48 3/5 mile. Another step down the ladder here finds him in against much easier. (3) DRAGON ROARS AGAIN has kept some really good company over his last five starts, so I'm not that concerned with the 0-for-12 record this year. Lasix went on last week and he still got beat, but sometimes it takes a start for the medication to reach peak effectiveness. (7) DEALER’S TABLE raced well from off the pace on the class drop last time and we know he has the speed to beat this field if hitting a form spree. (10) SUGARTOWN was in super form before getting an outside post in too high a class. Another bad post looms here but the competition is softer. Race 14: $12,500/$17,500 Claiming Handicap There are a couple of throw-out horses here but otherwise this is a difficult race to decipher. (3) BETTOR NOTBITTER A took some air and held well in his first start for the leading barn and could be even better this week. (10) TJ BLAST has big speed off the gate and if he clears without working too hard, watch out! (2) IDEAL SON steps up off a good mile and really doesn't face the best field. (4) ROCK N BLUE moves into a new barn; improves? (9) ROJAN'S WAY switches barns and was Yannick's choice over #10.