Best Bet: TALENT SOUP (8th) Spot Play: DAIYMIR (5th) Race 3 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool Race 8 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool MEET STATS: 140 - 519 / $917.50 (-$120.50) BEST BETS: 15 - 42 / $50.90 (-$33.10) Race 1 (7) JK PARLAY went a game qualifier when missing only a neck to a nice 4-year-old in Photobombr Hanover (see race 9). I don’t see any reason why he won’t be aggressive in this spot and come out swinging. (2) ROCK ON LINE took some time off after a flat effort on March 10. I’m inclined to think he’ll come back ready, but I’d sure like to see a qualifier after five weeks off. (1) YO APOLLO CREED was a bit better last time. Perhaps he is finally moving in the right direction. Race 2 (5) APPLE BOTTOM JEANS looked super winning round one of this series and I’m inclined to stay with her. (2) BETTORHAVEANOTHER was one of many winners for trainer Ron Burke last weekend. She’s won five of nine this year and should give the top one a tough time. (4) OK HEAVENLY had some traffic trouble last week but the line looks like she was bad. There could be some value in using her for second and third. Race 3 (3) PERPLEXED went a long mile in the first leg of this series from an outside post. Moving inside and getting away from Apple Bottom Jeans could be what she needs to score. (1) STORMTRACKER was a solid second last time and still has yet to miss the board in her career. (5) KISS ME ONTHEBEACH lacked a big late kick last time and could be tighter now. She certainly has the class to take these to task; must use. Race 4 (5) SLIPIN SKIP tries tougher company after looking very good down at Dover in four starts this year. I’m a bit concerned about the five week layoff, but the others still have questions to answer of their own. (1) G W T seems likely to be the favorite after everyone saw him get locked in the pocket a week ago. I’m not so sure he was loaded and a definite winner. (2) LUCKY LEONARD was fast off the gate and raced well in his first qualifier of the year. This 3-year-old has some ability. I might use him as a saver on a pick 5 ticket. (6) CALIFORNIA CRUISIN is another that showed some GO as a 2-year-old. I’m going to watch one start after shipping north from Florida. Race 5 (1) DAIYMIR was up against it facing Rodeo Romeo and others last time. He takes a giant step down in class despite remaining in the same condition and should have every opportunity to win. (3) EMERITUS MAXIMUS finished just behind the top pick when they last met at Dover. (6) THE REAL ONE is capable of taking this field to task but seems more likely to receive patient handling to start his 2018 season. Race 6 (8) WAIKIKI BEACH A is impossible to pick on paper or from viewing his recent races, but I know the talent is there somewhere and I’m hoping the switch to the big track will make a difference. He just seemed to be spinning his wheels at Yonkers. (4) WINDSONG LEO has won three straight for a barn that is hot now. (7) BARIMAH A is in amazing form right now and seems like a must use in multi-race wagers. Race 7 I’ll admit that (6) CALVIN B has been hanging way too often late in the mile, but he does get along best with Callahan and seems to be in a field with enough early zip to set up his late move. (3) MAAJAACKKOBE flashed early speed before getting locked in through the lane. He has a shot on the class drop. (2) CHUCARO ACERO BC has done well here in the past and likely picked up some confidence with the win last week at Freehold. (1) TERROR OF THE NITE is going to win one of these races eventually but seems better used underneath here. Race 8 (6) TALENT SOUP was used hard and just missed last Saturday. He drops to the basement condition now and should coast at 3-5. (8) SPAGHETTI EDDIE comes out of the same race as the top pick and should enjoy this reduced level of competition. (2) THE FIRE WITHIN was too far back last time and unfortunately for him catches a tougher group here. Race 9 (2) LAWRENCETOWN BEACH pulled the pocket and was about to cruise to an easy win when he made a sharp right turn and disappeared from our line of sight. Let’s give him a second chance here. (7) PHOTOBOMBR HANOVER dug in nicely in his most recent qualifier. Four-year-old has talent but will likely take a more conservative approach in his first start of the year. (6) MORE DRAGON is sharp enough now to think he can get a good piece versus these. (4) TRANSITIONING JOY has early speed and rarely misses an on-the-board appearance. Race 10 (1) BALLERAT BOOMERANG & (2) BIG STRETCH MARK drew nicely and catch a very weak division of NW8500. I’ll be surprised if one of them doesn’t come away with a win. (4) ART HISTORY is working his way back up the class ladder. The top two are likely too tough for him right now, but getting a big piece seems very possible. (9) JOJO JOVE steps up but doesn’t face an impossible task in terms of competition. The problem here is the outside post. Does Callahan fire off the gate? [DRF HARNESS NEWSLETTER: Sign Up for the FREE DRF Harness Newsletter. Fresh content and insights delivered each Thursday.]