Best Bet: OPULENT YANKEE (2nd) Spot Play: ANDERSON SEELSTER (9th) Race 3 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool Race 8 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool MEET STATS: 120 - 452 / $816.50 (-$87.50) BEST BETS: 14 - 36 / $48.50 (-$23.50) Race 1 (7) WILD SMILE posted two second-place finishes when last seen in amateur action. He’s a legitimate play in a race where you can make a case for many options. (1) ROCKIN REDFORD is another where you can’t see it in his PP lines but he won back-to-back amateur races when last competing in those race; one to beat. (4) KEYSTONE BLADE is fast enough to play with these and has the early speed to make some noise. (8) FIJI is another who is fast off the gate. Any horse that gets loose on the front in these amateur races could be dangerous. Race 2 Win or lose, (1A) OPULENT YANKEE should not be in this race. He jumps off the page on paper and shouldn’t have been written in on the AE condition of Shiaway St Pat Eligibles allowed. (2) DI OGGI has been racing well and the short field should allow him to stay close to the action. (4) MONTALBANO BI is going to be the popular choice on the bottom of the exacta, but with the barn change I don’t think the $6 number is worth playing. (1) DOUBLE L LINDY comes with the top pick on the entry ticket and could very well be the second best horse in the race once he gets into gear this year. Race 3 (2) L DEES MIA comes with the risk of conservative handling, but if Gregory keeps her in the game, she should take care of business. (3) BIG HERO seemed to have something left in his lone qualifier. That said, I’m a bit concerned that it took three weeks to enter and he was scratched-sick out of that start. (8) ACTIVIST showed early life before tiring in his debut for these connections; improvement possible. Race 4 (1) BEYONCES ROCKN returns to The Meadowlands at the basement condition. All of her previous races here were against much better foes. I’m expecting a big improvement tonight. (4) BETTOR N BETTER isn’t very sharp right now but these bottom level races have a way of waking up classier horses. (2) PURITY got caught in insane fractions last time. This race will go much slower. Race 5 (5) DEJAROVER qualified back OK in his first start back from winter vacation. New trainer Jenny Melander could very well get this guy going at first asking against a suspect group. (8) LAW OF ATTRACTION rolled down the road in a slightly easier spot last time; big threat again. (3) SEVEN ROSES chased #8 last time and should be in line for another solid showing. Race 6 (8) CHAPTER TOO seems to be getting better with every start and just missed last week in a huge mile. She should get the job done regardless of trip tonight. (6) TECH TITAN raced well off the bench and can certainly show more now. (1) MOTOWN JACKPOT was a couple of lengths behind the top pick a week ago; minor award likely. Race 7 (5) WINDSUN GLORY coasted in her comeback qualifier and finds a great spot for her 2018 debut. (4) JUXTA COWGIRL continues to drop in search of a winning spot and now switches to the big track. (7) TICA HANOVER couldn’t last on the half-mile track at Yonkers. Maybe we’ll get new tactics this week. Race 8 (4) MY CHERRY PIE reunites with Marohn who got the most out of her two and three starts back. In a competitive field, she has the perfect post to do some damage at a price. (6) P L ICABOD & (7) ROSINI are getting clear class relief and either horse could easily step up. (3) SWEET JUSTICE closed well last time and seems to be in form but got unlucky with this mixed-level race. Race 9 (2) ANDERSON SEELSTER won her return qualifier rather easily and that 1:52 4/5 win from last year sticks out on paper. If she can come anywhere close to that, watch out! (8) THE GIRLS OF IMAGE picked up her game in a big way in start number two this year. (9) ROCKIN PRALINE gets a pass on last week due to the broken equipment. Her previous race was solid. Race 10 (5) WILDFLOWER was used on the engine last week and that sapped all of her stretch power. I’ll stick with her this week and hope for an easier trip. (4) ROSE RUN QUICKLEY has been racing OK and really doesn’t face much. (7) COMMENTARY is capable when he feels like showing up with a good effort. Race 11 (7) MADE OF JEWELS AS & (5) KNOW IT ALL are both down in class after facing a runaway winner last Friday. One of them really should step up in this spot. (3) OK HEAVENLY has seemed on the verge of a win but can’t get over the top. She clearly can win with the right setup. (4) BLUSH HANOVER will likely wait and make a late move; using underneath. [DRF HARNESS NEWSLETTER: Sign Up for the FREE DRF Harness Newsletter. Fresh content and insights delivered each Thursday.]