Meadowlands analysis for May 27, 2023 NJSS Finals

Tonight’s (May 27) 13-race harness racing card features the New Jersey Sire Stakes Finals for sophomore pacers. The fillies tangle in Race 6, and the colts square off in Race 8. Here are my selections and multi-race tickets:

BEST BET: (6) VOUKEFALAS – Race 8

SPOT PLAY: (4) WHOLE LOTTA LOU – Race 1

20-Cent Pick 5 – Race 1: 4,6,7/5,6/1,2,3,4/7/2,5 = $9.60

50-Cent Pick 4 – Race 6: 1,4,7,9/4,5/6/1,2,8 = $12

50-Cent Pick 4 – Race 10: 2,4,5,7/1/1,2,4,6/1,3,4 = $24

Race 1 – 4-6-7-5

(4) WHOLE LOTTA LOU is one of three droppers in here with a chance. He left hard last week, let two rivals go then finished with pace while lacking room late. I’ll side with him to notch a slight upset.

Race 2 – 6-5-7-8

(6) LIKE A SHADOW had no chance of closing into a 26 1/5 kicker when facing tougher. This race looks like it could fall apart late, and he can roll past the leaders at a price.

Race 3 – 3-1-4-2

(3) MOSTINTERESTINGMAN gets a positive driver change tonight and if he can kick home in 27 again, he will have the most live legs at the wire, price play.

Race 4 – 7-2-6-5

(7) DELAYED HANOVER drops out of the Cutler and faces some returnees here. Zeron will likely look to control this race from the outset.

Race 5 – 5-2-1-3

(5) CONFEDERATE signaled that he is ready to start an ambitious sophomore campaign by pacing an uncovered 25 2/5 kicker in his qualifier on 5/19. He doesn’t have to win this race, but if he gets put into it, he should handle these aged horses.

Race 6 – 4-7-1-9

I thought (4) CANADIAN BALLET raced huge last time, staying game despite battling uncovered first-over for the final 3/8ths of a mile. She is worth a stab at a price in this $240,000 New Jersey Sires Stakes Final for three-year-old pacing fillies.

Race 7 – 4-5-6-2

(4) RAPTORS FLIGHT N is razor-sharp, and he should get another good trip racing near the front tonight. A threepeat looms.  

Race 8 – 6-7-1-2

(6) VOUKEFALAS has looked sensational in his two 2023 wins and the son of Lazarus will likely lead the other seven sons of the same sire on a merry chase in this $240,000 New Jersey Sires Stakes Final for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings.

Race 9 – 2-8-1-4

(2) P L OZZY gets post advantage on the rival that out gamed him last week and I’ll give him the nod to turn the tables.

Race 10 – 4-7-5-2

(4) AMERICAN DEALER N had no chance of closing into a sub-26 final 1/4 in the slop last week. He gets a driver change and a probable pace scenario that should be better for him. Call to upset.

Race 11- 1-8-5-4

(1) DRIBBLING BI drops and draws inside and he should have a good shot vs. this field tonight.

Race 12 – 2-6-4-1

This looks like a race that will set up for a horse that trips out near the front, finds room in the lane and surges late and (2) LIVINTHEBEACHLIFE fits that description.

Race 13 – 4-3-1-10-5

(4) ROSEY TIME lacked room when it was needed most in early stretch last time. She closed willingly when she got free, but it was too late. She can turn the tables with some better racing luck tonight.

by Garnet Barnsdale, for Harnesslink