By Edison Hatter, Meadowlands Handicapper Early Double Saturday June 10
Race 1:
1 JAMES RIVERSIDE – Finished second four starts down at Rosecroft against an Amateur group, but otherwise hasn’t shown a lot in the recent form. Winless in 2023 and will have to prove himself on the big track in this spot tonight.
2 YAYAS HOT SPOT N – He has won here earlier this season and has picked up a pair of checks in his last two against similar MADC fields. Draws inside for this try tonight and should have the ability to pick up a piece again.
3 WINDSONG JACK – Finished second two back against Amateur company down at Freehold, but hasn’t been able to get a lot going in his last two tries against similar here, which have been from Posts 9 and 10. Draws better this week.
4 JACKAMINO – Had some issues late in the mile down at Philly last week, but he shows a pair of decent lines two and three back. He’s had limited starts in the last two season, but will now make a fourth start off the bench tonight.
5 FIRE LIGHT – Won just five starts ago down at Freehold and was second three back while just missing. Tough spot two back from Post 8 and he wasn’t able to get a lot going last time out here. Draws well and will look to rebound tonight.
6 TAKEITOTHEFACE – Tough trip that didn’t work out last time against similar, but he has a pair of seconds and a third in his last four against similar here at the Big M. Continues to knock on the door and will break through again soon.
7 CENTURY FURY – Kicked in :28.3 and did pass a few rivals through the stretch last time out against similar, but was no threat to the top several. Won just two starts ago down at Philly and will look to get back on track tonight in this one.
8 NEEDLESS TO SAY – Couldn’t get a lot going down in Maryland last time out from the second tier, but he did win just two starts down at Freehold against easier. Finds a tougher spot tonight as he’ll need to prove himself on the big track.
9 HOWTOTRAINURDRAGON – He’s gotten some checks against claimers recently down at Pocono and has been competitive against these types here earlier this year. Does have to work from the outside post in this one.
DRIVER CHOICES: Tony Beltrami 3 Over 4
Selections: 6-4-9-2
Race 2:
1 NYLANDER – Raced very well three back against easier from Post 10 and was able to win easily two back from a better post draw. Had to work early from an outside post last time against similar and couldn’t offer enough late in the mile.
2 SWAN IN MOTION – Took care of business while always close to the pace two back against easier and backed it up with a solid fourth against tougher last week on a big class jump. Finds some class relief here and has a big chance.
3 VINNY DE VIE – Won by six convincing lengths last week here at the Meadowlands after having to settle for second two back. However, he takes a big class jump in this one and will have to prove he belongs against these.
4 TIMESTORM – Finished fourth when last seen against tougher over at Yonkers from a tough Post 7 draw, but has since scratched sick. Has some gaps between recent races, but does have ten wins in the past two seasons.
5 SHINKANSEN – Won last time out against easier and has now won two of his last five. He did finish fourth four back against similar, but couldn’t show much two back in a tough trip from Post 9. Could catch a piece in this short field.
6 STORM IS RAGING – Big longshot last time out against a very tough Open field here off of the long layoff. He did win nine times last year, including in 1:51.4 here. Gets major class relief tonight and should have a big chance in this one.
DRIVER CHOICES: Corey Callahan 1 Over 5
Selections: 2-6-5-1
