Best Bet: PEPPER GUY (13th) Spot Play: ALL WEEK (6th) Race 3 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool Race 8 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool MEET STATS: 93 - 364 / $648.50 (-$79.50) BEST BETS: 10 - 29 / $35.90 (-$22.10) Race 1 (1) DANCINGWITHDELIGHT finished second behind a legitimate Grand Circuit horse in his return qualifier. I’m going to take a shot here in his first start for trainer Ron Burke. (2) GRAVE DANCER should sit close and have a chance, but getting the job done in the stretch hasn’t been easy for him. (4) CHIP WALTHER was used hard and tired when dropped to this level last week. He deserves another shot and is a win candidate. Race 2 (8) ROCK ON LINE looked to have some talent last year but it went downhill fast. He was written into this shaky group on the AE condition and should have every chance to win. (3) HIS EXCELLENCE couldn’t quite go with better foes in his qualifier. This barn typically brings them in ready. (1) LIFE HAPPENED finished second in some bad conditions last time. He could be even better in his second start off the bench. (6) JK FIELDING bested many of these last week. I’m not taking a short price on him just yet. Race 3 (1) WALKS OF LIFE dominated the $7,500 claiming level for four weeks and now takes a stab for a $12,500 tag. I don’t see any reason he can’t handle this group. (2) SPAGHETTI EDDIE raced OK in his qualifier and was rolling when last seen in December. (3) ZERO THE HERO comes in from The Meadows off a win and sees his claiming tag cut almost in half. (9) SIX GUN has no form but gets the same claiming price reduction as #3. Race 4 (2) BIG TOP HANOVER came up with a big mile on the class drop last time out and might now have the confidence to tackle slightly better. (7) IAMMRBRIGHTSIDE N broke when last at this level, so we can toss that line. He closed well from post 10 last week. (1) MISTER TRUTH only needs to push away strong from the inside to be in striking position. (4) SISKEL qualified in Saratoga but is racing here; interesting. Race 5 (5) ELRAMA N just missed in a game effort in his most recent start versus better competition. He should prove tough, though this is a solid field. (7) COWBOY TERRIER blitzed a softer field on February 10 and looked good enough to tackle these. (1) CENTURY CHURCHILL has been knocking on the door and would be no surprise in this spot. (8) JACKSRLUCKYTOO can be a player with some pace help to set up his late rally. (10) BLAISE MM HANOVER is dropping down and should offer a big price. I’ve seen worse longshot plays. Race 6 This is a rather strong NW5000 field. (1) ALL WEEK gets class and post relief here. I’m expecting to see early speed and a fair price. (2) DAVID’S DREAM also drops a notch down the condition ladder. This barn does well when its horses are spotted properly. (4) K-LEES SHAKENBAKE hasn’t been great since the purchase by Team Burke but takes a similar drop to the top pair. (5) NOCTURNAL BLUECHIP raced well at Freehold in his second start off the bench; more now? Race 7 (7) ROCKIN RON qualified impressively. I’m a bit concerned that he’ll need to come from last so demand at least 2-1. (6) WESTERN JOE & (5) BETTOR’S EDGE have been battling each week in this class and they should be controlling the action here. Race 8 (5) P H KENNY couldn’t be any sharper since moving into the Andrew Harris barn. Just don’t take less than 5-2 because this is a competitive race on paper. (8) DURANT moves into a high percentage barn and should be heading to the front. (7) RATHER SWELL raced well in his first try here this year and certainly fits nicely with this group. Race 9 (8) MAAJAACKKOBE posted an even mile in this class last time but should have an opportunity to gun to the front in this spot. (5) PHIL YOUR BOOTS was two classes higher when last seen here. He seems like a fit and should offer value with Berry driving. (2) MEETYOUATMIDNIGHT moves to an inside post and has the early speed to make some serious noise. (10) I’M SOME GRADUATE might have received my vote of confidence from a better post position. He should be ready for more in his second start since October. Race 10 (4) SAMS TRIPLE CROWN has been doing good work from outside posts versus mostly older foes. He gets a condition pivot to NW4 tonight and should bring a big effort. (2) FRANKY’S BEACH BOY won by three lengths with Napolitano in the bike the last time this gelding raced in this class. (7) BIG STRETCH MARK beat both of the top two last time out, but is pushed to an outside post tonight. Race 11 (7) WORKANDPLAYHARD comes off one of the strangest miles I can recall; parked three wide at multiple points during the mile when it didn’t appear like he needed to stay wide. He finished up the mile OK and I’m going to chalk it up to a rigging issue in his first start for the new barn. Seven-year-old doesn’t win much these days but seems to be in a nice spot. (1) SOUTHERN PURSUIT N is another who has been camera shy lately; expect early speed; dangerous. (9) NORTHERN VIRGIN took a shot and raced well in his first start for new connections; stay in same class. Race 12 (6) AWESOMENESS finally gets out of the Preferred class and away from some of the sharper/classier horses on the grounds. I wouldn’t call him a lock in here, but I’m expecting big effort. (1A) HUG THE WIND N didn’t seem to enjoy the off track in his last outing. I wouldn’t be shocked at all if he returned to form. (5) SWEET BEACH rallied nicely from a difficult spot last time. Race 13 (3) PEPPER GUY hasn’t lost a race in months and that seems unlikely to start in this spot. (9) ROLLING SEA has won four of five this year and seems like the only possible danger to the top pick. (7) ROCKIN MACHINE raced well in his first start for Team Bongiorno and it is interesting that Joe Bongiorno is scheduled to drive after a slate at Yonkers. (5) BET THE DRAGON has speed and a good post; in the mix at least for an exotics spot. [DRF HARNESS NEWSLETTER: Sign Up for the FREE DRF Harness Newsletter. Fresh content and insights delivered each Thursday.]