The Meadowlands has a 14-race card scheduled. The headliners are the Graduate Series Final for Trotters and Pacers as well as the Meadowlands Pace Eliminations. The 0.50 Early Pick 4 starts in Race 6. The sequence has a $50,000 guaranteed pool with a 15% takeout, and it will be my focus.
Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.
Race 6-Meadowlands Pace Elimination (8:25PM EST)
1-Voukefalas (2-1) -Comes back to its favorite track after a decent but not up to usual standards showing in the North American Cup Elims and Final at Mohawk. Qualified with a sharp effort in 150.4 with a 53.1 back half on 7-1 and should be ready for a top try. The colt has a solid Big M record of (8-5-1-2) and has taken every picture here except for one start.
3-Fulton (5/2) -Raced wide in the NA Cup Final and still hung on for 3rd a half-length better than #1. This will be its M1 debut, and my guess is we haven't seen the best from the Toscano pupil.
Race 7 (8:50PM EST)
2-My Pal Joe (5-1) -This is an interesting field and will look here as Joe B should be racing near the top of the stack off the gate. Likes the track (52-9-8-8) and has the speed to win but needs the right trip.
7-PL Ozzy (6-1) -Some horses take a big jump from their 4 to 5-year-old season and that seems to be the case here. This race is a real test, takes a big step up in class but has the gate speed to get a close-up seat. Is worth a swing at the morning line price as Ozzy tries for 6 straight wins.
9-Southwind Gendry (3-1) -Gingras probably needs to leave hard to have a chance for a picture. Isn't close to the same horse as in his younger days. But is still good enough to beat this field if gets off the gate in good shape.
Race 8-Graduate Trot Final (9:15PM EST)
1-Jiggy Jog S (2/5) -Well you would need deep, deep pockets to keep shooting against this top mare and won't completely dismiss here especially with a couple of prices in leg 2. Winning at a tiny price surely could happen but not convinced. So, will also look to others who are racing well and have more value.
2-Looks Like Moni (6-1) -The question is if the Megan Scran trainee can win without leading coming into the stretch. Was caught near the wire by Keg Stand after a well rated middle half. What shouldn't be overlooked is the bumpy trip going 3-wide into the opening turn. The price should be right to take a swing, could be overlooked and Zeron has a knack for big money victories.
6-Keg Stand (5-1) -Comes off a nice win, went first over around the last turn and 1st time Lasix worked out well. Doesn't start on the rail tonight but is a main player if Gingras can provide a smooth trip.
Race 9-Graduate Pace Final (9:40PM EST)
4-Mad Max Hanover (5/2) -That was quite a stretch duel between Max and the one below. Helios had the more difficult trip no doubt, but this 4-year-old looked beat but found another gear deep in the stretch. Should be right there at the wire again.
5-Stonebridge Helios (2-1) -Beaten odds-on chalk was game in defeat having to come a long way first over. Gets some post relief tonight and could quickly make amends to backers.
0.50 Early Pick 4
- RACE 6: 1, 3
- RACE 7: 2, 7, 9
- RACE 8: 1, 2, 6
- RACE 9: 4, 5
- COST: $18.00
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