The Meadowlands has a loaded 16-race card Saturday with the headliner being the 99th edition of the Hambletonian that rolls in Race 12. The 99th Hambletonian Oaks is carded as Race 14. The 0.50 Late Pick 4 starts in Race 12. The sequence has a $125,000 guaranteed pool with a 15% takeout, and it will be my focus.

Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.

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Race 12 (4:45 PM EST)

1-Karl (6/5)-There are many reasons to think Karl wins and does so by controlling the mile from start to finish or soon after. The reason to believe it won't be so easy is if the fractions are hot and others won't respect the chalk as they would if there wasn't a $1,000,000 purse. My play in this sequence is to look for an upset in the first two legs. If that were to happen a decent return on this ticket is possible.
8-Sig Sauer (4-1)-This Noel Daly pupil has raced well in his 2nd and 3rd starts this year. The colt posted a win in the Dancer at a large price and came a hard charging 2nd from this same post to finish 3rd to Karl. Has the gate speed to get a decent seat and will need a sharp drive by Andrew McCarthy. But more than anything else hot fractions are required because the Muscle Mass colt can fly down the lane.
9-Private Access (10-1)-Has good gate speed and will need it when the wings fold. Also, can finish off a mile in a big way. The question is how fast does James MacDonald need to go in the opening quarter? If he doesn't need to scald the Luc Blais pupil early on and Karl is challenged during the middle half it could be picture time at a nice price.

Race 13 (5:26 PM EST)

1-Spicy Nice (10-1)-Needs a cozy trip and this is the spot to get one. Leaving from the inside should help and can close with one nice move to roll by. Looking for a price in this leg and will fade the program chalks (6-7).
2-Conversano (8-1)-Put in a nice mile to win at a 11-1 last time. This is another who can race near the top of the stack and might be overlooked.
3-Lady Landia (9/2)-Won 2 back with a 55.4 back half and then lost all chance in the next start because of a break in stride. Team Svanstedt pupil could be in the hunt with a clean trip and shouldn't be overlooked.
5-Torrisi (5-1)-Came off cover to finish 2nd in the last 2 races. Gets a new set of hands in James MacDonald, and he knows how to get into striking range to catch the leader down the lane.

Race 14 (6:06 PM EST)

1-Elista Hanover (9/5)-Winner of 10 straight and has only one loss this year and is certainly the one to beat. Should be close to the top off the gate but doesn't need to lead every step of the way to down this group.
4-Allegiant (3-1)-Drew off by 4 lengths in the Oaks Elim and should be out and rolling when the wings fold. The morning line chalk is talented and versatile. But if Elista doesn't come with her fast ball my lean will be to the Vernon Beachy pupil with Scott Zeron in the bike who does good work at M1 and has won 8 of 17 lifetime.

Race 15 (6:38 PM EST)

1-Silver Label (4-1)-This is a vey fine mare who has banked over $1.2 million but hasn't been able to solve the morning line choice Twin B Joe Fresh. Mohawk invader rolled the back half in 53.4 with a 26.3 kicker in last and should be a square price tonight. Gets a post edge on some tough customers and it will be up to Zeron to work an efficient trip.
7-Twin B Joe Fresh (2-1)-The Chris Ryder standout has won 4 straight and can get the job done on any size oval. Regular pilot Dexter Dunn will be in the bike and this mare should be in control of the mile shortly after the wings fold. Hasn't raced since 7-13 but did qualify in 151.2 at M1 on 7-26 and appears ready for a top effort.

0.50 Late Pick 4

1,8,9/1,2,3,5/1,4/1,7
Total Bet=$24

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