By Edison Hatter, Meadowlands Handicapper Early Double Saturday, July 1
Race 1:
1 QUEBEC HANOVER – Raced well last time out against similar to be a strong second in the end. There’s been some breaking issues in his brief career so far, but hopefully he can stay flat here and take a step forward from last week’s try.
2 TE AMO LINDY – He hasn’t been seen since last year now, but he did keep some solid company in Stakes events as a freshman. Looked solid in his qualifier here a few weeks ago and could pick up a piece off the bench in this one.
3 POINT OF PERFECT – He’s had a few weeks off now since the NJSS Final here last month, but did qualify well a few weeks ago down at Gaitway to stay fit. Remains winless, but does find a significantly softer spot in this one.
4 BRAYDEN VICTORIES – Form down at Philly was solid coming into his last start, but he couldn’t get a lot going last week in a similar spot on the ship to the big track. Would need to take a big step forward to contend tonight.
5 THE EMPRESS ICE – She was solid two and three back here at the Meadowlands against similar, but had those breaking issues reappear last time out from a tough post. Draws better tonight with a chance to rebound.
6 INTERNATIONAL MAN – Couldn’t get a lot going in his last two starts of last season, but earned over $160,000 on the year and picked up a pair of wins along the way. Solid Q two back in preparation for his seasonal debut tonight.
7 BABY TAKE A VOW – Worked a bit early last time out, which cost him late, and made a break two back. Form prior to that was solid, though, including three back when finishing second here against similar. Chance to rebound in this one.
8 MAIDEN VOYAGE – Form at Philly was solid coming into her most recent start here, but she wasn’t able to get too much going in that mile after taking back early. Look for her to be a bit more aggressive off the gate tonight.
9 CRAZYLAND – Finished third last week against similar behind QUEBEC HANOVER. He’s been picking up checks in his recent starts, but would need to take a step forward to contend in this one. The outside post draw doesn’t help.
DRIVER CHOICES: Tim Tetrick 8 Over 2 Yannick Gingras 3 Over 6 Corey Callahan 4 Over 7
Selections: 1-6-7-2
Race 2:
1 WINNER’S BET – Couldn’t get a lot going when last seen in the Breeders Crown Final, but he has a lot of strong back class from last season. Both qualifiers looked solid enough in preparation for his seasonal debut tonight.
2 CHEZACTIC – Won just two starts ago down at Philly, but couldn’t show a lot late last time out here at the Meadowlands after working a bit early from an outside post. Draws better tonight, but finds a tough group here.
3 POP POP’S TOMMY – He hasn’t been able to get a lot going in his recent starts here at the Meadowlands and hasn’t shown too much overall in his brief career so far. Would need a major improvement in this start to be able to contend.
4 DAHLQUIST HANOVER – Shows a couple of solid miles three and four back up at Woodbine Mohawk against conditioned types, but the last two have been a bit too tough for him. Could pick up a piece behind the top few here.
5 UPSTAGED – Won well last time out on the big class drop down at Pocono as a heavy favorite, but now returns to the Meadowlands to find another tough group. Will look to take some confidence from his last mile into this one.
6 VOLUME EIGHT – Won seven of his nine starts last year as a freshman and finished the year with strong wins in the Kindergarten and Fall Final Four. Surely is the class of this field, but hasn’t been seen now since last November.
7 AIR POWER – Won the NJSS Final well and is a strong 3-for-3 to start his 2023 campaign for the Marcus Melander barn. Could have a fitness edge with his recent starts over VOLUME EIGHT in the matchup of heavyweights.
DRIVER CHOICES: Andrew McCarthy 6 Over 7
Selections: 7-6-1-4
