Saturday cards offer value plays

While Yonkers Raceway concluded its 2015 live racing schedule last weekend, both The Meadowlands and Rosecroft Raceway will present live programs this Saturday night that could allow players a few more chances to pad their bankrolls just in time for Christmas.

The second race at The Meadowlands on Saturday is a non-winners of three races or $40,000 lifetime class for younger pacers.

Railbound Rodeo Romeo (Brett Miller) steps up off a sharp 1:50.3 score here for trainer Chris Ryder. Rodeo Romeo began the year by chasing horse of the year Wiggle It Jiggleit in the Buddy Gilmour series and then faced him again in the Progress Pace elim and final at Dover Downs. With 'Wiggle' elsewhere, Rodeo Romeo looks tough to defeat.

But two other younger horses have an upset chance. Said No One Ever (Andy Miller) has won four of nine starts at Harrah's Philadelphia and makes his local debut. J T (Yannick Gingras) has won 10 of 13 starts and sports a 1:52.1 mark at Harrah's and was the beaten favorite there against tougher in his last two for trainer Ron Burke.

One race later in a non-winners of two races or $20,000 lifetime class for younger pacers, much of the attention will be focused on Rollaroundtheworld (David Miller) a two-year-old Roll With Joe colt who makes his career debut for trainer Nancy Johannson of JK She'salady fame.

Rollaroundtheworld was second in his most recent qualifier behind Major Dancer after winning his initial qualifier in 1:55. He looms the even-money choice in his career debut.

But two other more experienced pacers have an upset chance. Major In Life (Andy Miller) was third behind Rodeo Romeo in this class last week after being the beaten favorite in this spot two back. Thespywholovedme (Corey Callahan) arrives having won four straight at Saratoga and figures to be tough on his Big M now.

Then much later on the card the track will offer the $25,000 Open which looks contentious.

Ashley's  Husband (Joe Bongiorno) has won his last two over the track. Sunfire Blue Chip won last week in 1:49.4. Kingofthejungle won his last two, including a 1:49.1 score last week. Melmerby Beach won two straight 4yo Open events at Yonkers before finishing fourth in the Open Hcp last week.

That same night at Rosecroft, a number of pacers look poised to end the meet with a victory.

In the eighth, the $12,500 Open 1 Hcp for pacing fillies and mares a quartet of distaffers have a chance to succeed in this competitive affair

Railbound BJ's Sweetheart makes her local debut after facing tough conditioned rivals at Dover Downs for owner-trainer Jason Skinner. Feelingmightygood raced well first over last weekend for trainer-driver Jeff Stafford. Springforth (Frank Milby) raced well when second in this class last week for trainer Jeff Clark, while Valerya (Jonathan Roberts) gets assigned the outside slot after rallying to win this event last weekend.

Two races later in the Open 2 for pacing fillies and mares, a trio of ladies have a good chance to score.

Railbound Nightly Terror (Roberts) gave way grudgingly after cutting wicked fractions last week and will be tough to catch if she gets a breather. Text Me Hanover (Milby) finished eighth in the Open 1 last week after winning her two prior outings and could rebound for leading trainer Ken Schlotzhauer. Clear View Hanover (Henrik Lundell) makes only her third start of the year after two tries at The Meadowlands.

Then one race later in a conditioned event for older pacers, look for either Bridge Jumper (Sean Bier), Caviart Tyler (Roberts) or Dancing Rusty (Milby) to prevail. Both Bridge Jumper and Caviart Tyler have faced Open foes for much of the meet, while Dancing Rusty beat conditioned goes on Tuesday.

Then one race later in the non-winners of three or $20,000 lifetime class, look for Hickory Aloha (Chris Offutt) to end his bridesmaid status. Hickory Aloha owns three wins and 10 second-place finishes in 28 starts this year and was a sharp second to Elusive Point last week.

Then two races later in the finale, a conditioned event for pacing fillies and mares, look for GE's Alex (Roberts) to notch her second straight tally despite starting from post nine. GE's Alex beat similar last week in the fastest split for the group and looms a solid repeat chance.