Tonight, the Meadowlands has a big card on tap featuring the Graduate Finals for 4-year-old trotters and pacers. The Meadowlands Pace Eliminations roll in Race 6 and Race 8. The top five finishers in each elimination race will compete next Saturday night in the Pace Final.

Last night at Hawthorne the posted Late Pick 4 ticket failed in the opening leg. In Race 7, the #9 Lukes Rocketman was bet down to 3/5 from 9/2 and paid $5 to start a very chalky sequence. The 0.50 combination of (3,5,9/1/8/6) paid $11.60.

Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.

Race 5-Graduate Trot Final-$250,000 Purse

2-(7/2) Dunbar Hall-Will toss last break, was off over 3 weeks, major threat if returns to previous form.
4-(6-1) International Moni-Looking for better, if the trip is good can pop at a square price.
8-(3-1) Ariana G-Champion mare should be better tonight on a 1-mile oval. Best to not overlook lukewarm favorite.

Race 6-Meadowlands Pace Elimination-$50,000 Purse

2-(3-1) Hayden Hanover-Last was very sharp, 2nd time Lasix tonight and could be even better, rates a slight edge.
5-(7/2) Nutcracker Sweet-Racing well and could be better on bigger oval, should get a nice trip from this spot.
6-(5/2) Stay Hungry-Another who will likely be better on a mile track, ML chalk is a threat with best effort.
3-(6-1) This Is The Plan-2nd time Lasix and Tetrick should have up close throughout. Set LT mark at Big M.
7-(9/2) Thinkbig Dreambig-Winner of 4 straight is versatile and should find a way into the Final.

Race 8-Meadowlands Pace Elimination-$50,000 Purse

1-(3-1) American History-Gingras has options from here, could get on the engine and not look back.
2-(7/2) Courtly Choice-Comes off a monster effort at PcD and should secure a spot for the Final.
3-(5/2) Jimmy Freight-Canadian supplemental entry has had a great year, might save best for next week.
8-(4-1) Dorsoduro Hanover-Tries Lasix tonight and if takes to the Big M should race again next weekend.
6-(10-1) Odds On Lauderdale-Long shot is sharp, likes to roll late and that should get him into the Final.

Race 10-Graduate Pace Final-$250,000 Purse

3-(9/2) Western Joe-Upset potential, even effort in last but was off 20 days, likes the Big M, could be sitting on a big try.
1-(7/2) Miso Fast-Comes off a pair of fine qualifiers and likes the engine. Major player from rail with Roy if tight enough.
10-(3-1) Highalator-Would be picked on top if not so far outside, may still win if Miller works the right trip.

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