Best Bet: MIKE’S Z TAM (8th) Spot Play: RATHER SWELL (1st) 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 (3) RATHER SWELL gets a meaningful drop in class this week and now drops in for a $15,000 claiming tag. He should come out guns a blazing. (1) NORTHERN VIRGIN can flash some speed from the cones and have every chance. (7) FEARLESS LEADER N wore down the leader in the stretch last time. The task is tougher from an outside post this week. Race 2 (6) ART DANCER qualified back well and against a field without much firepower, I’ll take a shot with this undefeated (in one start) A Rocknroll Dance 3-year-old. (9) INTUITIVE WRITER has been facing more experienced foes at Freehold, so this really could be a softer spot. McCarthy jumping in the bike adds to the intrigue. (3) LONG BEACH has been racing better of late. Race 3 (6) TRIUMPHANT’S CHIP has a bit of class to him and a spectacular 22 for 68 career record. In a field with no standouts, I’ll roll the dice that trainer Scott Di Domenico has this guy ready to fire off the bench. (4) STITCH IN TIME drops a notch and I think the change to Vic Kirby in the bike could help. (2) CAUFIELD just doesn’t seem to want to win right now but should get a big piece. Race 4 (1) TERROR OF THE NITE raced from off the pace and wound up stuck in traffic last time. McCarthy knows what to expect now and should be handling him more aggressively. (3) SPAGHETTI EDDIE is back at the level of his last win and gets an interesting driver switch. (5) JOJO JOVE should flash some speed and get into the exotics. (2) TENDTOWIN ships up from Rosecroft and seems fast enough to play with these on paper. Race 5 (7) CALVIN B would’ve crushed this field at points last year but just forgot how to win late in the season. I was encouraged by a solid effort on the rim at Saratoga last time and will give him a shot because I think others will be overbet. (6) BERING SEA HANOVER hasn’t been awful since returning from vacation; could step up. (4) BARIMAH A was lazy at points and overly willing at other times during the mile last Saturday. With a clear run in the lane he would’ve won and that means the price will be shorter than it should be this week. (1) TALENT SOUP was unremarkable in his qualifiers; watching a start. Race 6 (5) SAMS TRIPLE CROWN is back at the more comfortable NW8500 level and picks up a good post to work with this week. (2) MAAJAACKKOBE came up with a solid effort last Saturday and is capable of stringing two good miles together for a barn that seems to be heating up. (8) JOE’S BID took advantage of a hot pace to set a new lifetime mark, but he could have easily given up at the head of the stretch rather than sprint home to make up almost 10 lengths. Tonight is a good test for him. Race 7 After a week off while racing from off the pace, (4) BETTOR’S EDGE has to be gunning off the gate in this spot. If driver Vic Kirby can stretch out likely favorite (7) WESTERN JOE a bit to the opening quarter, he might be able to run down the king of this class in the lane. (6) RODEO ROMEO did all he could after #7 got away with soft fractions last time. I still like this horse but just don’t see the trip working in his favor. Race 8 (2) MIKE’S Z TAM raced evenly in his first start since November against a field that is much better than tonight’s competition. As long as Lachance keeps him in striking range this guy should take care of business. (1) MR EUROMAN N had a couple of good effort early this year. With the exception of the top pick, this is a good field for him to wake up against. (3) MEETYOUATMIDNIGHT has early speed and form; using underneath. Race 9 (7) MORE DRAGON lacked a big stretch kick last time while coming off a break and making just his second start since January. He gets more class relief this week and adds McCarthy; expecting big things. (10) ALLSTAR ENERGY comes off a 14-plus length win in 1:53 2/5 at Saratoga. That gets my attention. (1) QUALITY BUD is capable from the inside post and the driver change could help as well. Race 10 (8) SAPPHIRE CITY raced steadily from behind in a much tougher class when last seen at The Meadowlands. Millionaire can have a big say against this group. (7) BIG STRETCH MARK ran into the ultra-sharp Durant last time and couldn’t handle the sizzling fractions. This spot is much better. (4) JACKSRLUCKYTOO was out of his element near the lead last week and it didn’t help that he was facing an obvious odds-on winner in Sunfire Blue Chip. Race 11 (2) BOBJACKS ANGLE A ships in from Freehold in stellar form and really doesn’t face any sharp foes. (3) STAKEOUT finds an easier spot this week. (7) FOX VALLEY CADET has been racing well against slightly weaker foes. He can play with this group. Race 12 (7) DANISHDUJOUR is due to be sent down the road and perhaps the addition of Callahan in the bike will make the difference. (6) TRYS LITTLE PRINCE qualified back well for high percentage trainer Bob Lounsbury. (5) ROOSTER RABBIT comes off a sharp effort and only needs a decent trip to menace. (3) DAVID’S DREAM gets some post relief here and could certainly awaken. [DRF HARNESS NEWSLETTER: Sign Up for the FREE DRF Harness Newsletter. Fresh content and insights delivered each Thursday.]