Selections

Meadowlands Racetrack, July 2

Race 1, #4 WISHING STONE

Dewayne Minor has somewhat of a knack with these younger trotters from time to time, and now sends out this Conway Hall colt, WISHING STONE. Surged late when shaken free in his first baby race qualifier, beating a couple decent looking ones in the process, and flashed solid trot at both ends of his most recent prep. Tetrick aboard immediately, I think the signs point to a good one here. #5 Temple Of Doom kicked home strong in :28:3 last out en route to a sub 2:00 mile, Czernyson and Miller have been very successful together of late. Obviously the 3 horse entry is formidable. Schnittker tends to have his 2YO's ready, and the Guerfin trained Keystone Bernard is apt to show speed.

Race 3, #7 SMOOTH POWER

SMOOTH POWER debuts off a win in 1:58:1 qualifying win, in which he didn't even see the rail until past the half and then was immediately pressured at three quarters. You typically won't see that type of effort exerted in a 2YO baby race, but that's what happened there, and as long as this one can live up to the billing following that race, he shouldn't have much trouble here. Top connections to boot. #8 Ripken is just one of the many 2YO's that Burke has ready to send out early this year, and certainly proved way too good for that most recent field he demolished on 6/24. Looks talented for sure, Sears likely to send. #4 Lucky Chucky shows a couple so-so off the pace preps for this, but I wouldn't be too quick to eliminate Sylvester and JC, there could be a lot more in the tank than we've seen.

Race 5, #5 P J CLARK

P J CLARK had his only race of the year on 5/21 won, until he switched to the pace approaching the wire. Obviously has some issues staying flat and on gait, but I don't have any doubt he is fast enough. Seems to be handled conservatively in his qualifiers, so I wouldn't necessarily let that distant recent 2nd bother me to Jaavos Boy. Nice mid-pack post, only needs to stay trotting and Trond will have him moving late. #1 Birdsong Hanover comes off a hard used throughout effort from post 10, but I'll note that it was a near 80/1 longshot that outgamed this Takter trainee. #3 So You De Vie was a good 3rd in that same race. #9 A Crown For Lindy only has 2 lifetime starts, is still learning for Antonacci, and did a good job chasing class in his recent Q for this.

Race 7, #5 UP DOWN N AROUND

UP DOWN N AROUND has certainly responded to Steve Smith in his last pair here, and that last effort really made me take notice. Proved his strong rally from 6/11 was no fluke, as he pulled first over last out, wore down the leader, and just missed in holding off the favored My Man Ben who sat right on his back. #9 Quantum King Crab took all the money last out going off at 8/5 from an 8/1 ML, and jogged in 1:56 flat. Tougher post, slightly tougher field now. #2 Prank Player makes his second start back, has a good history over this track. Hard to believe that #3 ENS Curious has gotten this bad; has already upset earlier this meet at super long odds.

Race 9, #10 NAVAHO AYDEN

I'm not familiar with the training connections, but NAVAHO AYDEN sure looks talented enough to beat this crew. I'd actually consider him even if he were racing in the 2YO stakes on this card, but at least this one will have every chance to put up a nice 2YO mark in his first race should he win. In his first baby race at Chester, somehow made up 8 lengths in just the stretch there, and then won as he pleased next out with Luke McCarthy in the bike. Switch to Tetrick now seals the deal. Fires out, overcomes the post, wins. #4 Whole Lotta Shakin is perfect in his morning workout, sports back to back last quarters of :27:1 and :27:4. #6 Rock Allstar looked good in both of his races at the Meadows, now makes his first start here and is likely to be forwardly placed.

Brett Sturman is a lead analyst, and oversee's all day to day operations at the harness racing handicapping website, Hometrackadvantage.com. You can find more analysis and selections by visiting Home Track Advantage.