Best Bet: HOPE FOR BADLANDS (12th) Spot Play: DOWNUNDERMATTER (6th) Race 3 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool Race 8 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool MEET STATS: 69 - 242 / $470.50 (-$13.50) BEST BETS: 10 - 19 / $35.90 (-$2.10) Race 1 You only need to look back one race to see that (8) KEYSTONE ACE easily swooped to victory in the A class of the amateurs. Last week he was in way over his head. (5) MASSIVE LIGHTNING gets into an A/B amateur handicap after two decent showings up in class. (9) ROCKIN REDFORD comes off a going away win last time and was rewarded with another outside post; clear threat. Race 2 (8) DERF HANOVER comes off a good qualifier with hobbles added, finishing up with a 27 4/5 final quarter. In a field without a clear standout, I’ll take a shot here for a barn that is hitting at a 50% clip. (7) I’M DONE came up with a nice effort in the slop with Lasix added. (4) TOUGHER THAN EVER has raced well when here in the past; contender. Race 3 (8) REAL ROCKER is a veteran with big track experience in his past. He enters a new barn now and seems to be a good fit here at a price. (7) WELLWESAID didn’t produce with an aggressive steer last time and I’m guessing we’ll see new tactics here. That will be key in a field loaded with potential early speed types. (4) TERROR OF THE NITE has won two straight for this claiming tag. (5) WINDSONG GORGEOUS is clearly racing better now but might get overbet here versus a much better field than he bested last week. Race 4 (7) DULUTH switched drivers and responded with a nice effort last time. In a field with almost no form, he stands out for me as a must use. (2) DRIVING MISS CRAZY comes off a bit of a disappointing effort, but I’ll give her one more pass since the track was sloppy. (8) MARION GONDOLIER raced evenly in this class three starts back. (1) PLAYBOY RUSTY seems like a contender if he can stay trotting. Race 5 (2) MISS DEFIANCE came up with a monster mile out of nowhere last week. I’m going to take that as a sign she is finally ready to win after more than a year without success. (5) CASA MIASA followed the top pick and got the best of her at the wire last time. This week #2 gets the better post. (8) FIRE N DIAMONDS should flash some speed in this spot and get a piece. Race 6 (6) DOWNUNDERMATTER is one of many who are dropping in class for this race. Seven-year-old is in good form and should be very good value. (2) KEEGAN HO also drops and draws well, but this barn hasn’t exactly been firing on all cylinders. (10) ABBIE’S CELTICLASS went a long mile and couldn’t sustain last out; threat with the right trip. (4) SWEET JUSTICE gets a much better post, some class relief and a new driver. Race 7 (2) MONTALBANO BI comes off a throw-out effort and is every bit as fast as any in here at this point. All he needs is a reasonable trip near the front to get the job done. (5) SCIROCCO JAKOB wasn’t going to beat B Yoyo last time. He is back in with easier foes and should prove tough. (8) P L ICABOD has been in great form for some time; steps up. (9) OPULENT YANKEE has speed and class but isn’t on the top of his game now. Race 8 (3) SING ALONG had no chance of closing from eighth last Friday but still came home with good pace. Expect she’ll be kept much closer to the action here. (7) MONICA GALLAGHER has the dangerous combination of speed and form. (5) ZANE HANOVER made an aggressive move and tired while moving up to this class last time; new tactics here? (4) MISS BLING has won two straight and could be near the lead here. Race 9 (1) DOMINUS HANOVER comes off a throw-out line and now moves into a new barn with a high win rate. He outdraws most of the likely contenders and seems to be in a great spot. (7) TWO HIP DIP wasn’t ready to tackle a sharp winner last time after missing nine months of action. I expect him to be much sharper now. (9) REAL DJ HANOVER also moves into a new barn and is eligible to improve. (2) COMMENTARY qualified well and should be close to the front. Race 10 (6) PERSEVERANT returns to The Meadowlands at a reduced level after a narrow defeat in a good effort at Freehold. He’s the sharpest horse in the field and likely to offer value. (2) URBAN RENEWAL gets class and post relief this week. Barn hasn’t exactly been lighting it up but this is a great spot. (8) SUTTON SEELSTER ships in for a high percentage barn. (1) YANKEE ARTILLERY moves out of the claiming ranks to the bottom condition; using underneath. (5) ONEISALONELYNUMBER lacked any punch last time. He is better than that. Race 11 (5) HE’S GONE comes out of a much tougher race and should be right at home versus this group. (4) DOC’S BOY picks up Brett Miller this week. He’s a risk to break and may be the favorite, so be careful. (3) IT’S CHOCOLATE TIME & (2) A JERSEY CONTRACT are both moving down the condition ladder and either could wake up. Race 12 (1) HOPE FOR BADLANDS rallied nicely from a tough spot last week while showing signs of life for the first time in a long while. (8) VOICE OF TRUTH was stuck in traffic last time and didn’t find room until late. He will likely race better than you think. (5) TWINCREEKS JESSE reunites with Ginsburg and can get a piece of the exotics. Race 13 (6) ANOTHER CHAPTER raced very well coming off a break in his first start for new connections. I’m expecting a big mile here. (4) MAJESTIC SUNSET came back from a long break and raced rather well. He could be interesting at a price. (2) IRON DOME was buried on the pylons with no shot last out. (1A) MORE THAN TALK was dull on a sloppy track most recently. He could rebound. Race 14 (8) AREYOUREADYGIRL N drops down for a barn that has been red hot to start 2018. (5) VEGAS IN STYLE was much better last time on the track and does get a class break as well. (4) BESTGIRLFRIENDEVER is another moving down in class. He’s probably better used underneath. (9) MISQUED found her groove last time with a good closing effort. [DRF HARNESS NEWSLETTER: Sign Up for the FREE DRF Harness Newsletter. Fresh content and insights delivered each Thursday.]