Best Bet: COMMENTARY (10th) Spot Play: OPULENT YANKEE (6th) Race 2 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool Race 7 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool MEET STATS: 140 - 519 / $917.50 (-$120.50) BEST BETS: 15 - 42 / $50.90 (-$33.10) Race 1 (4) PARTY ON THE RIVER had a clear shot at (8) GOLD MEDAL SWAN in the stretch last week and couldn’t out-sprint that foe home. This week the post edge could make a big difference if Marohn gets aggressive on Party On The River. The latter won for fun with trainer Mark Silva in the bike; must use if you play the pick 10 survivor. (6) SHADY MCCOY was a bit disappointing last time. He moves in two spots on the starting gate and could conceivably wake up. Race 2 (4) ESCAPE AGAIN was more of a fringe player for me with the trainer listed to drive, but after changes came in and David Miller got the assignment, everything changed. She is 4 for 8 lifetime and facing a questionable group. (7) PAINTED LADY is a filly I was looking to play against and thankfully the driver change on #4 came through. That said, she’s perfect in two starts and I guess should could be the favorite here. (6) DARK FORCE raced evenly in his comeback qualifier versus better foes. With some maturity over the winter she seems capable of stepping up. Race 3 (5) DEJAROVER went up in smoke at the start as the 3-2 second choice last time. In a field without a clear standout, I’m inclined to give him a second chance. (8) SEVEN ROSES has good gate speed and form, but I do worry that she’ll face resistance in the form of other leavers. (2) DONATOVER showed breaking issues to close out his 2-year-old campaign and broke in his 2018 debut at Freehold last time. He did stay flat when qualifying on the big track here on 3-24. (4) ACTIVIST figures to be put in play and looks to have as good a shot as any with the right setup. Race 4 (3) MATTJESTIC TEMPO showed no signs of her breaking issues last week while racing evenly from post 9. In her second start since December while facing a weak field, why can’t she step up? (7) BLUSH HANOVER took her shot and couldn’t sustain last week. The form just isn’t there and you know the price will be short. (5) PIRAEUS closed well last time and merits some consideration. Race 5 (8) NEW JERSEY VIKING qualified back in good order with two solid effort and while this is one of the tougher NW8500 fields, he seems ready to roll. (7) POSSESSED FASHION returned from three months off with a nice effort in this class; more tonight? (1) SWEET JUSTICE gets post relief here. He should sit close and get into the exotics. (9) UPFRONT BILLY is certainly down in class. The outside post should make him wait a week for a win. Race 6 (5) OPULENT YANKEE couldn’t fend off Deep Impact last time as the heavy chalk, but that happens with this guy from time to time. He finds a cozy post this week to make the front and deserves a second chance at what should be closer to 9-5 this week than 1-5. (1) ELYSIUM LINDY came up with a big mile last week as one of many from the Burke barn to fire a big race. He’s clearly a threat with a repeat performance. (7) SUTTON looked like he wanted to go forward and when he was denied that opportunity never seemed right again. Does Miller gun him to the front? (4) PERSEVERANCE closed well last time and seems like an upset player. Race 7 (6) BULLVILLESTEPHANIE was an impressive winner from post 10 last time and one to follow. (2) BEYONCES ROCKN draws an inside post now and should be close to the action with a chance to upset. (7) FREAKONOMICS came up with a nice comeback race. I usually like to give them a race when shipping up from Pompano. Race 8 (1) ROCKIN PRALINE was in over her head in the Burning Point. She returns to the NW3 level and should find early speed and confidence. (2) ANDERSON SEELSTER took a step in the right direction last week. She’s getting closer. (5) BRUNHILDA just missed in this class last time. (4) WESTS LUCKY ARIA could improve in her second try on Lasix. Race 9 (10) ROCK ON THE HILL is hard to endorse on recent form, but check out the rest of this field. When I see a weak field, having the best driver working for the highest percentage trainer in the field is often a good way to lean. (7) MAY I CRUISE WEST gets a major driver switch. (8) JDS BRENT N SHEREE comes off a decent mile and seems like a player. Race 10 (5) COMMENTARY only drops one level on paper but is actually taking a huge plunge in class. He is supposed to pick up his first win this week. (9) MR LOVER gets a catch-driver this week and could be more involved early. (2) SEVENTEEN TABS is another getting a new driver. McCarthy has been known to wake a horse up. (1) PAINITE has good recent form. [DRF HARNESS NEWSLETTER: Sign Up for the FREE DRF Harness Newsletter. Fresh content and insights delivered each Thursday.]