Best Bet: ROCK ON LINE (13th) Spot Play: EVER AGAIN (4th) Race 3 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool Race 8 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool MEET STATS: 105 - 403 / $718.10 (-$87.90) BEST BETS: 12 - 32 / $42.70 (-$21.30) Race 1 (1) PIERCEWAVE HANOVER ships down from Saratoga and lucks into the softer of two divisions of this NW8500 condition. He should flash his usual early speed and have a big shot. (3) KARETS broke in his return from a three month vacation but is certainly in a winning spot if he can find his form; big value. (10) BROADWAY CONCERT has the early speed to overcome the outside post but I fear he may only get a smaller share. Race 2 (2) RODEO ROMEO has a start under his belt now after an extended break from action that dates back to last May. He should offer good value and might just be ready to step up. (7) AWESOMENESS has found his best stride for Brett Pelling. I’m not crazy with the outside post considering the early speed types to his inside, but you can’t deny his form. (5) WESTERN FAME qualified back nicely and Takter tends to have them ready. Race 3 I’m going to take a shot with (3) EXPLOSIVE RIDGE. His second start back from vacation was much improved and the fact that Team Johansson elected to list Gingras (even though he chose a Burke horse) tells me that this horse is ready to win. I’ll take Marcus Johansson and the much better price. Hopefully the trip works out. (7) SUCH AN ANGEL kept up rather well with Preferred contender Gural Hanover in his latest qualifier and should be tight enough to fire at first asking in 2018. (6) UPFRONT BILLY & (5) DI OGGI drop from NW11500 to NW8500 and both won when last seen at the lower condition. Race 4 I really wish I didn’t have to write about the crazy trip (7) EVER AGAIN had last week and he would’ve won at 24-1. He was fast off the gate but got back out to last by a tired leader and came charging home when clear to somehow get fourth. If he brings anything close to that effort on Saturday, the race is over. Unfortunately the price is going to shrink dramatically. (8) DANCINGWITHDELIGHT drops in for a claiming tag for top connections and is eligible to show more. (2) ALWAYS A DIAMOND comes off a complete throw-out line. Don’t discount this guy on recent form because this field isn’t exactly filled with sharp horses. Race 5 (3) JOJO JOVE handled the step up to this level by finishing second behind a runaway winner. He should secure early position in here and have a good opportunity to win. (7) WALKS OF LIFE has yet to finish worse than second in 2018 and is clearly the one to beat; must use. (1) THE FIRE WITHIN wasn’t that bad versus a decent field last time; drops in for a tag. Race 6 (2) GRIFFON HANOVER posted an even mile in his first start since December and should be tight enough to win now. (6) BAD BOY BRAD A won in a higher class when last at The Meadowlands. (3) MEETYOUATMIDNIGHT has missed a neck in this class in consecutive starts. (7) JACKSRLUCKYTOO needs some pace help to set him up; capable with a trip. Race 7 (9) GREAT VINTAGE lured Gingras off two Ron Burke horses that look good on paper. Millionaire 10-year-old has a start under his belt now and should be ready to best this group. (4) LAWRENCETOWN BEACH put in a solid effort to start the year last Saturday and can certainly take a step forward. (1) I’M SOME GRADUATE steps up off a win. Post switch from 10 to 1 could keep him close to the action without working too hard. Race 8 (5) SAMS TRIPLE CROWN makes his third start at this level and finally gets a good post to work with. As long as new driver Marohn keeps him in the mix, he has a big shot. (6) HALLIE’S COMET makes his second start off the bench and also with Lasix added. Don’t be shocked if he wakes up with a solid effort at a price. (3) ALL WEEK & (4) SISKEL have been racing well and seem capable with the right trip. Race 9 (6) IWILLMAKEYOUSAYWOW was sitting on a win and picked it up last week. He steps up a level now and Gingras goes elsewhere, so we’ll be sure to get a price on a horse that is more than capable of stringing together wins. (4) VERDAD makes his second start back after a year on the sidelines. Logic would expect that this veteran will improve and it is a positive to see he isn’t in for a claiming tag again. (8) SPORTY REDHOT returns from vacation off a good qualifier and is down in class. Race 10 In a race where nothing is jumping off the page for me, (8) MANNY picks up Gingras while shipping down sharp from Saratoga. Maybe the tracks top pilot will set sail for the top and never look back. (3) YO CHEYENNE ROCKY has been facing better despite showing similar classes in recent starts. He’s another that could be pointed down the road. (4) I LIKE DREAMIN chased some good foes in his recent qualifier, so I can’t fault him for only finishing fifth. He is capable of winning against this field. Race 11 (1) BARIMAH A was racing and winning against better when at The Meadowlands last year. Veteran returns for a high percentage barn and should have a big shot. (6) CALVIN B can’t seem to close the deal. Maybe the sometimes aggressive Mann can wake him up. (5) WORKANDPLAYHARD is sharp enough to think he can go with this better group. Race 12 (4) BRICKMAN was called ‘ready’ by trainer Andrew Harris a few weeks back and this double-drop in claiming price tells you where he stands. I’ll be surprised if this guy isn’t handled with urgency from the start for a barn that has had the hot hand. (5) CHARMBO CURIOSITY is in a soft spot and only needs a smooth trip to menace. (8) FOX VALLEY CADET is still seeking his first win of the year. Barn was cold in February but this is a new month. Race 13 (4) ROCK ON LINE rolled in this class last week and seems destined for another picture at the end of his mile. (7) ROCKIN MACHINE has been racing well in the NW3 level for a barn that has been living in the winner’s circle. (3) CLOUSEA HANOVER reunites with Gingras, who steered this guy to his last win. (8) JOE’S BID closed well for third in his first start since December and could build on that effort. [DRF HARNESS NEWSLETTER: Sign Up for the FREE DRF Harness Newsletter. Fresh content and insights delivered each Thursday.]