Harness Analyst – Meadowlands 16th June

We have three divisions of the Graduate Series at The Big M tonight and a full 14-race card. Here is my analysis of each horse in each leg of the series and some suggested multi-race tickets for tonight’s harness racing card.

20-Cent Pick 5 – Race 1 – 1,2,5,6,7,10/1,3,6/3,7/3,4,8,9/7 = $28.80

50-Cent Pick 5 – Race 6 – 5/4,6,7,9/1,2,4,5/1,3,4/5,7 = $24

50-Cent Pick 4 – Race 10 – 1,5,6,8/1,2,4,5/1,3,4/5,7 = $48

Race 6 – GRADUATE SERIES 4 YEAR OLD OPEN TROT 2^ND LEG 

Selections – 5-11-8-7

(1) JUSTICE stablemate to the big favorite Jiggy Jog S, he makes his first start of 2023 here and I think he looks for a following trip and a strong finish. He can take a small share

(2) PAPPARDELLE has won close to 1/3 of his starts but this is a tough spot for him. A small share is likely his ceiling in this spot

(3) SLAY couldn’t stay with Jiggy Jog at Mohawk Park, but he makes his third start back and I can see him being a bit closer this week. He is an exotics player.

(4) LONGSHOT is aptly named in this spot. He will probably be fighting to take a small check.

(5) JIGGY JOG S came back firing in her seasonal debut and she jogged in 1:50 3/5 over some of these. She can race effectively any way Dunn asks her to and that spells trouble for tonight’s foes. The play tonight is probably to try to find value underneath this great mare.

(6) COOL PAPA BELL Last year’s Hambletonian champ raced evenly in his first start back which was one he likely needed. His best effort combined with a good trip could see him landing in the Trifecta tonight.

(7) PRETENDER took lots of money facing Jiggy Jog and he couldn’t go with her in the final 1/4. He probably offers no value in the Exacta tonight, so I’ll play to beat him out of it.

(8) KEG STAND is in great form for trainer Takter and he will likely blast out for position leaving the gate, but he is another that will likely offer a small Exacta payout underneath the likely winner. I’ll try to beat him out of 2nd, too.

(9) SENNA hasn’t missed the board in 10 straight races but he gets thrown to the wolves here and draws poorly. He is up against it.

(10) LOOKS LIKE MONI is another that is unlikely to make much of an impact from post 10 here.

(11) I WON’T BACKDOWN AS interests me here because he is getting faster every race and he will likely leave in mid pack and set up a late rally. Getting Tetrick is a bonus and he is the one I will use to try to add value to the Exacta underneath Jiggy Jog.

Race 7 – GRADUATE SERIES 4 YEAR OLD OPEN PACE 2ND LEG 1ST DIVISION 

Selections – 6-7-4-9

(1) GREATEST ENDING takes a class hike here but he is in good form and sharp and I could see him taking a small share.

(2) THE LONGEST YARD gets Gingras tonight but he seems outclassed in this spot.

(3) EARLY ACTION seems like another that is in a very tough spot here. A small share is probably his ceiling.

(4) I DID IT MYWAY made a late charge from a tough spot in the Battle of Lake Erie and he fits well here. He can win with the right trip. 

(5) PLEASELETMEKNOW raced okay first up in the first leg of the series at Mohawk Park and he should be in the exotics mix tonight. 

(6) COLD CREEK QUESO can produce high speed in his best day and I love this driver change to Dunn tonight. He will let this gelding fly and a lifetime-best performance could be unleashed tonight.  

(7) ROCKS SHINING STAR paced a 52-flat back 1/2 in the opening leg so there is no question about his sharpness. Scotty Z will have him closer to the front this time and he is a top contender.  

(8) BIRTHDAY should have been better last week after cutting only a 1:24-flat 3/4. I think he is a fringe player here. 

(9) MAD MAX HANOVER is sneaky in here getting Tetrick. He is worth a look at a price.  

(10) AMERICAN CLASSIC would be a huge surprise in this spot form post 10. 

Race 9 – GRADUATE SERIES 4 YEAR OLD OPEN PACE 2ND LEG, 2ND DIVISION  

Selections – 1-8-6-3

(1) CAPTAIN COWBOY made his own luck last week at Mohawk Park by blasting off early for the lead and it paid off by having him position to capitalize late. From the rail, I’ll give him the call to repeat. 

(2) NIGHT HAWK stopped in the lane as a 10-cents on the dollar chalk last time when facing easier. He is hard to see here. 

(3) DREAMFAIR ARNIE B is another that put himself in a good spot early and got up late last week. He is sharp and dangerous and he picks up McCarthy to drive. 

(4) DANCIN SANCHO comes off an interference break but he seems in very tough here. The smallest share is likely the most he can get. 

(5) TAURASI is improving and he could sneak into the exotics tonight. 

(6) FOUREVER BOY had no shot with the trip he got last week. Tetrick will likely be more aggressive with him here and he can provide some good value for the exotics.  

(7) TRENDY TEEN flew late last week. He is a possible upsetter if the race falls apart late.  

(8) ENERGETIC HANOVER was picked off late by the choice last week but that was a decent effort and he should be right there again.  

(9) STONEBRIDGE HELIOS got hammered at the windows last week and he had no visible excuse. He could have been short making his first start of the year, but I don’t love the 9-hole for him in this spot. 

(10) LAYTON HANOVER is likely a bit player from post 10 tonight.  

For complete race entries, click here.

by Garnet Barnsdale, for Harnesslink