By Edson Hatter, Meadowlands Handicapper Early Double Saturday June 3, 2023
Race 1:
1 YER SO BAD – He’s raced really well against MADC company since shipping over here from Yonkers with a pair of seconds in his last two. He’s 0-for-15 on the year, but draws inside and should have a chance to get a win here.
2 YAYAS HOT SPOT N – Won just five starts ago here at the Meadowlands and was third last time out against similar. He already has two wins this year and does draw inside. Not impossible in this one if the trip works out for him.
3 SHORTYS GIRL – Got the job done last time out in a very solid effort. The 1:53.2 mark established a new lifetime best for her and she’ll look to keep it rolling here from another good draw. Should be close to the early pace tonight.
4 MEET THE CREEPER – Recent form didn’t show a lot coming into last week’s try against similar, but he kicked in :27.1 and made up good ground late to finish second. He’s been close a few times in 2023, but is still searching for a win.
5 FERDINAND A – He’s been third twice in a row against similar, including last time out from Post 9 when he blasted off early. Draws well tonight and will likely find himself on or close to the lead once again. Current form is pretty solid.
6 CENTURY FURY – Won last time out down at Philly, but couldn’t get a lot going two back when last seen here at the Meadowlands. Will give it another try tonight on the big track with some new confidence from last week’s mile.
7 BIG BAD BILL – Finished second last time out in a solid try from off the pace against similar. He kicked in :27.2 and will be looking for that late turn of foot again tonight as he is likely looking at a similar trip in this one.
8 THAT’SMYTYPE – Massive longshot last time out against similar on the ship in to the Meadowlands and he was a pretty even fifth in the end. She would need to take a big step forward here to be able to contend in this one.
9 BEACH DEMON – Solid mile two back down at Philly, but otherwise the recent form doesn’t show a whole lot. He is winless on the season and has to work from this tough post. I’ll pass and watch one here to see how he fits in this spot.
10 WINDSONG JACK – Solid second last time out down at Freehold against an Amateur field, but he wasn’t able to get involved against similar here three back from an outside post. Draws another tough assignment with Post 10 tonight.
DRIVER CHOICES: Anthony Verruso 1 Over 7
Selections: 1-4-7-3
Race 2:
1 FRANK DEFORD – He’s made a break and has had a tough post to work from in his recent efforts at Plainridge, but he was solid four and five back and already has five wins this season. Finds a realistic spot tonight on the ship in.
2 SHIP WRECK BEACH K – Recent form doesn’t show a lot and he has had some recent scratches and finished with broken equipment last time out. However, he does get some class relief tonight. Nonetheless, I’ll pass and watch one.
3 BET A BUNDLE – Finished third three back here at the Meadowlands against a tougher group and he’s slowly putting it together as he looks to find some form this season. Gets some class relief tonight that could be key to his chances.
4 VASARI N – Raced pretty well three and four back when last seen here at the Meadowlands against TM groups and he’s gotten checks in his last two down at Philly since returning from the short layoff. I’ll try him on top in this one.
5 ART SCAPING – Finished third two back against a group of claimers, but otherwise hasn’t gotten too much going here as of late. He was pretty consistent at the beginning of the year at the Big M and will look to get back to that form.
6 THIRD EDITION – Won two back up at Tioga, but otherwise hasn’t shown too much in his last several starts. He has some big track success from out at Hoosier last season and will look to find some here at the Meadowlands tonight.
7 JUMPING JAKE – Won well last time out down at Freehold and has now won two of his last four. However, those miles were both against easier down at Freehold and he’ll face a significant class test in this race tonight on the big track.
8 SEEUINNASHVILLE A – Tough spot last week in an Open up at Monticello, but his recent form has been pretty solid up there lately otherwise. He found success here last season and will look to translate his current form here tonight.
9 GLOBAL CRUSH – Finished third against tougher last time out down at Freehold and on two in a row in April down there. Made a break two back and had Post 8 three back, but otherwise the recent form can’t be knocked.
DRIVER CHOICES: None
Selections: 4-3-1-5
