Best Bet: VINTAGE GRAND (3rd) Spot Play: MACHAMILLION (9th) 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 (5) CASH ME OUT hasn’t been here since September of 2016 but did finish second missing a neck in 1:51 4/5 that night. Saratoga shipper is sharp and more than capable of going with this ‘B-level’ Preferred group. (7) OPULENT YANKEE hasn’t been able to last with the shorter stretch at Philly, so perhaps that doesn’t bode well for him here. Or maybe he’ll perk up on the bigger track with one fewer turn? (6) ROCK OF CASHEL looked good off the bench last time and is certainly capable of going back to back. Race 2 (1) LONG BEACH came up short last time after five weeks of inaction. I’m going to give him one more try in a blank field. (4) STONEDUST scored at first asking for the Monica Krist barn and seems to be in against a similar field tonight. (5) BET THE DRAGON gets a slightly better post to work with after consecutive runner-up finishes. Race 3 (4) VINTAGE GRAND moves into the Ron Burke barn and is instantly eligible to improve multiple seconds. (3) IMPRESSIVE ART drops from the NW4 class and also gets a big post shift this week. If the top pick doesn’t show up, this guy looks like a good alternative at a nice price. (2) HEADLIGHTS ON picked up a win in this class last week and certainly deserves some consideration. Race 4 (3) GLASS PRINCE put in a nice steady mile at Monticello after taking six months of vacation time. Perhaps the new barn has him figured out after a winless season and can get him back to the horse that won here in 1:51 2/5 in 2016. (4) TERROR OF THE NITE steps up a notch after a win last week; early speed makes him a player. (9) MAGIC TRICKS made the top last week from post eight and just missed by a nose. I expect him to fire out again for another big share. (2) MASTER OF PUPPETS is always a trip threat in these lower claiming levels, especially from the inside post. Race 5 (2) EVER AGAIN faces a solid group this week but is every bit as fast as these horses. If Beyer can work out a clean trip you’ll get rewarded with a nice price. (4) BIG STRETCH DRIVE is in a great spot this week but it is hard to get past a career record with only 4 wins and 30 second or third-place finishes. (3) SUNSHINE WEST came up second best on the engine when early speed wasn’t doing very well over sloppy conditions; contender here. (8) MT STERLING MAFIA & (9) OBSCENE BLUE CHIP seem capable if able to work out a trip from the outside posts. Race 6 (2) K-LEES SHAKENBAKE remains at the same level where he was fourth last time but in reality faces a much easier group. This looks like the perfect brush and crush spot. (3) ELRAMA N has won consecutive races and has proven throughout his career to be capable of stringing many wins together. (7) VANQUISHED N faces slightly lesser than last week and could be a factor at a price. (5) MAJOR LEGACY is a capable horse given a smooth trip. Race 7 (4) MELBERBY BEACH closed well from a tough spot last Saturday. Classy 6-year-old gets post and class relief this week; should prove tough. (1) CHEVALS CLIVESDALE took a tour of the track from post 10 versus a tough group last week. I expect a much more aggressive try tonight. (9) WESTERN JOE comes into this race sharp but drew poorly. (2) STARZNHEAVEN has won three of four starts and is now in the Burke barn; hmmm. Race 8 (6) WINDSONG JACK has displayed steady improvement in each of his starts since returning from a 10-month break. I’m sure Andy Miller will be heading down the road and I think this guy just may hold on. (3) MR D’S DRAGON is another that should be forwardly placed and likely sitting in a prime spot behind the top pick. (8) SPEED AGAIN would be more likely on the win end from an inside post; gets a share. Race 9 (4) MACHAMILLION N certainly wasn’t prepared to keep up in a 54 4/5 half in just his second U.S. start. Now up to speed a bit and with Callahan in the bike, I’m expecting a strong showing. (1) MACINTOSH N was used in the pace while up in class last time; can play with these. (8) BULLET BOB steps up off a win and has a chance if they leave him alone on the engine. (2) ART HISTORY hasn’t been great lately, but maybe he simply disliked the off tracks. As a horse slated to sell on Jan. 15 at The Meadowlands, I’m sure we’ll see at least one solid effort prior. Race 10 (5) LACHIE MAGUIRE N put in an even effort upon arrival while facing better last time. The class break tonight should provide him what he needs to awaken. (9) MEETYOUATMIDNIGHT closed sharply to just miss last Saturday; dangerous again. (3) CALVIN B can’t seem to finish off his miles and has been burning money in the process. Maybe we’ll see a change in tactics here. Race 11 (8) J T wasn’t put in play in either start here at the NW8500 level. This class break down to NW5000 helps a lot and I’d love to see Abbatiello hit the gas pedal as the gate springs. (2) SISKEL was second best behind Western Joe when last seen at this level. That foe is now racing in the NW15000 class. I’m expecting to see an aggressive drive here. (4) ROCK ON THE HILL is yet another getting a class break in this field; trip player. (10) IWILLMAKEYOUSAYWOW is good enough to win if Miller can make some magic from the outside post. Race 12 (3) DEMOCRACY N failed to fire after spending a bunch of time on the rim last week. He’s down in class here and I’m going to stick with him. (4) LORD OF MISRULE lost to a sharp Elrama N last week but seems to be moving in the right direction now. (1) SPIRIT OF TRUTH gets some post relief and that alone should keep him in contention. (8) DIAL OR NODIAL qualified back with a game effort; needs a start? Race 13 (8) COPPER COAST A basically faces the same group he easily defeated last Saturday. (5) FLEM N EM N rallied for second behind the top pick most recently. (2) OUR JERRY LEE N drops in claiming price to get a good post this week. I’m not so sure he is in as bad of form as it appears. (7) INTHEBLINKOFANEYE is a proven player here who should be live dropping in for a tag. Race 14 (1) MARTIAL BLISS just posted a win at Saratoga from post 8, which is no easy task. In a field with a decent amount of early speed signed on, I think new driver Callahan can sit just off the action and pounce. (6) STEUBEN MAGIC RIDE is the other Saratoga shipper in the field and he is coming off an impressive win of his own. (4) INVICTUS HANOVER won for this claiming tag here last week. (5) CARDIAC FASHION drops down for a top barn. [DRF HARNESS NEWSLETTER: Sign Up for the FREE DRF Harness Newsletter. Fresh content and insights delivered each Thursday.]