Best Bet: MONTALBANO BI (9th) Spot Play: RAISE THE CURTAIN (12th) Race 3 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool Race 8 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool MEET STATS: 54 - 176 / $298.50 (-$53.50) BEST BETS: 8 - 14 / $27.30 (-$.70) Race 1 (7) GUESS WHOS BACK was highly regarded early in his career but the stars never aligned. He’s back at The Meadowlands where he posted a career best 1:52 4/5 two years ago and may just enjoy the chance to stretch his legs on the big track. (3) WHATNBLAZES raced OK from the back of the pack starting from an outside post last time. This looks like the right spot to unleash some early speed. (10) DOC’S BOY would have been the clear favorite from an inside post. Can he overcome post 10? (6) KEYSTONE THOMAS can gun off the gate and will keep going sooner or later. Race 2 (10) I’M DONE has only been worse than second once in 17 career starts. This is clearly a more difficult spot than he is accustomed to and post 10 doesn’t help either, but there are enough potential breakers in the field to narrow the competition. (9) TOUGHER THAN EVER comes off a throw-out mile at Yonkers from post eight; prior form was fine. (7) RECEIVERSHIP comes off a 1:54 qualifying win that sticks out like a sore thumb, but he looked ready to break at any moment in deep stretch. Race 3 (5) GUSSY’S DRAGON hails from the Dobson/Krist team which had some success last weekend here. Dragon Again-sired filly has won three straight and seems ready to take on this group. (3) DON’T STOP BELIEVIN wasn’t done any favors by an outside post at Saratoga last time. She moves inside and looks formidable. (8) MONICA GALLAGHER has early speed and a string of solid performances to her credit; using. (1) BLUE GROTTO looked good in her last start here, but that was versus an easier field. Race 4 (3) SHADY MCCOY gunned off the gate and chased a runaway winner last time. If Abbatiello comes to the table with similar tactics, this guy should be in good position for a potential win. (1) WHERE TO HANOVER gets post and class relief yet Brett Miller chose off for #6; hmmm. (2) WILDFLOWER is a clear trip threat despite being winless on the year. (6) LOU MAN changes barns and merits some consideration. Race 5 (4) HIGH GLIDER has been racing well out of town and now returns to The Meadowlands for the first time since his career debut. I have a good feeling that he’ll step up in this spot. (9) AMBER ELLA gets some serious class relief but remains winless in 17 starts this year. (5) AWAY MY BABY was actually racing at a higher level at Philly than the top pick and early speed makes her dangerous. (8) SIGNAL HILL is listed in the January 15 sale here so maybe he’ll bring a big effort, but I’m inclined to wait a start. Race 6 (2) EVERY INTENTION finally gets a good post to work with in his third start for new connections. I’m expecting to see some early speed and a solid showing. (10) ALL IT TAKES would be 3-5 and hard to look past from an inside post. As a horse that doesn’t usually show early speed, I’m not sure what to do with him at what will be around even money, likely. (4) WILLIE BOOTS gets a better post this week and could be on the move from the word GO herep; longshot player. (3) BUCKEYE IN CHARGE has been racing better lately and should have a big chance of getting into the number. Race 7 (2) CASH LEEBROOK has never been on a mile track and I’m hoping the switch will help perk him up. Let’s face it, this race is wide open on paper and most of these could win. (1) WORTH THE MONEY AS faces easier this week and is eligible to improve. (9) ZOOMING is the one to beat in theory, but I lost some confidence in him that last two weeks. (3) QUEEN ADJALA raced well from outside posts in this class two and three starts back. My main concern is that she’ll be an underlay here. Race 8 (3) NEON SKY N raced evenly in her U.S. debut and seems well spotted for a win now. (5) CHEYENNE ROBIN charged home for the win in her qualifier. Maybe she is ready to roll after the layoff. (6) KNOW IT ALL has plenty of early speed and is in the right class. (7) JEWEL LEHIGH A drops this week. Race 9 (1) MONTALBANO BI had no shot last time while in a lackluster flow and didn’t fire with the trainer in the bike two starts back. He lands in a perfect NW11500 this week and sticks out for me. (4) DRESSED TO IMPRESS was part of a quick early pace and held well while up in class. (2) BROADWAY CONCERT is in a good spot with this post and could save ground and fire late for a nice exotic slot. Race 10 (2) QUICK DRAFT A hasn’t been in the best spots in terms of positioning turning for home. Seven-year-old ends up in a great post and the right class this time. (9) SKIPPIN BY has enough early speed to make the top from the outside post. She could be tough if able to get away with cheap fractions. (1) BEYONCES ROCKN should push away strong from the inside and get a decent piece of the pie. Race 11 (3) SANDINISTA has been stuck with outside posts on the half-mile track at Saratoga while racing for a higher claiming tag than he is in for tonight. You would think he’ll come up with a strong effort here. (6) FOX VALLEY CADET has been in much tougher spots recently; dangerous. (2) FORTY CARROTS enters a high percentage barn and is worth consideration on that fact alone. Race 12 (5) RAISE THE CURTAIN double-drops in class and catches a rather soft NW8500 field this week. (10) SOUTH SIDE HANOVER can fly off the wings of the gate and should take this field a long way. (3) MOONLIGHT COCKTAIL moves to an inside post. With the right trip she could save ground and get a big piece. (9) LAUDERDALE has some class but I’d prefer an inside post. Race 13 (4) ESCAPE AGAIN was making pretty good headway on the rim last time when she locked wheels with another foe and lost any chance. This is a very soft spot and she should respond. (9) SHAREN HANOVER & (10) RICKY’S QUICKIE are outside horses with early speed and some form; capable on best. (2) SPORTS LEADER gets a positive driver change. Race 14 (10) PURITY is the best horse in the race and she is coming off a win. Unless they rough her up while leaving, this should be a down the road performance. (4) A HARD DAYS NIGHT raced evenly from a tough post versus better last week; using. (2) MELANIES SHARKETTE & (4) LUCKY PLAYER are both dropping in for a tag and either is eligible to awaken. [DRF HARNESS NEWSLETTER: Sign Up for the FREE DRF Harness Newsletter. Fresh content and insights delivered each Thursday.]