Best Bet: EXHILARATED (8th) Spot Play: CAROLINA CHERRY (1st) Race 1 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool Race 4 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool PICK 5: 2/2,3,7/2,3,4/1,2,7/1,5,6 = $16.20 EARLY PICK 4: 1,2,7/2,3,4/3,7/4,8 = $36 LATE PICK 4: 5/1,2,8/4,5,7/5,6 = $18 MEET STATS: 122 - 405 / $724.00  BEST BETS: 20 - 39 / $80.90 SPOT PLAYS: 13 - 39 / $140.40 Race 1 (2) CAROLINA CHERRY raced too good to lose last time. I'll stick with her leaving from a much better post here and adding McNair. (5) FRANSCHOEK got off the schneid in her final try of 2017. She steps up here, but she's sharp enough to make the ticket. (8) V STRING comes off a solid effort and she is another who figures for a small share. (6) TRACES OF PURPLE is worth a look exiting the Niagara series. Race 2 (2) HIS BOY ELROY has been solid since returning from the Maritimes and he comes off a nice win. He should be a good price here stepping up and I'll give him the nod. (3) FOOL ME ONCE is the obvious horse to beat dropping in class and getting the top driver, but he's no lock and will probably be overbet. (7) REGAL SON was in good form before scratching sick and the short field helps his chances of getting away well here. (1) RAMBLINGAMBLINMAN dropped and popped, but these are much tougher; small share predicted. Race 3 (2) CAGEY took a new life's mark in this class last time and he gets the same post here; call to repeat. (4) PERFECT MASS flew late to win a class lower in much slower time than the choice, but his consistency should be respected. (3) MUSCLE ALMIGHTY stayed in last time vs. the choice, but he was closing ground as the pace picked up and he's worth a look here. (8) ICE HOCKEY HANOVER was perfectly-driven to win last time and McClure has done well with him; consider for exotics. Race 4 (1) ROCKIN WIZARD paced a huge mile in defeat last time and drawing inside makes him the logical choice here. (7) ASLAN crashed the exotics at a big price when returning to a barn he had local success with in the past. He's worth including here at what should be another good price. (2) PISTON BROKE projects to get a good following trip here; look for him late. (5) NICKLE BAG is returning to form, but he may still need one or two more before he breaks through in the win column. Race 5 (1) DOVUTO HANOVER closed stoutly despite being on stalled cover. I'll give him a slight nod here starting from the inside. (6) LUKE AND DUKE fires home quickly every week and he looks like a top contender in this field; using. (5) BRILLIANT STRIKE failed again as chalk last time, but he moved first up into the fastest quarter of the race. A better drive could get him a win here. (2) STRATO BOY brings some solid form in from Flamboro. He can hit the ticket here. Race 6 (7) MYSTICAL MISSION couldn't be any better right now and he returns to the same class he won at on December 22nd; top call. (3) HIGHLAND TOP HILL was narrowly beaten by the choice three starts back, but has taken two solid wins since. He's the main danger. (5) MUSCLE HIGH comes in off a solid effort in a quick mile; using. (8) MAJESTIC MARVEL flew home last time and he's worth using underneath here. Race 7 (8) MUCH ADOO set some quick early splits then almost re-rallied to win last time. She's a threat to go all the way here. (4) SHES LIGHTS OUT is a razor-sharp rival that's a Pick 4 must-use for me. (5) BUTTERMILK HANOVER rallied latest and fastest to win last time. She's a contender here, but if the early pace is more even, that will play against her. (1) ARTISTIC MADISON should lay closer to the lead here which makes her a threat to beat them all. Race 8 (5) EXHILARATED drops several levels and gets her regular driver back. She should be very tough to beat vs. these. (1) D GS PESQUERO figures to get a good trip near the front. She can complete the exacta. (2) LIGHTS GO OUT steps up after being nailed late last time, but she can share. (4) SR BEACH BABE rarely misses a check and tonight should be no different. Race 9 (8) CUE HALL has been beaten by the same sharp rival twice straight and that one isn't in here, so I'll give Cue Hall the nod this time. (2) MIGHTY NICKY is coming around and he is likely to get a more aggressive steer here; using. (1) BUZZ was an easy winner last time vs. easier when he behaved. He is a threat racing on or near the lead here. (4) ADVERSITY will be picking up some pieces late to take a small share. Race 10 (5) JINS SHARK has won at big odds before when coming off a break. I'll take a stab with him here. (7) NIRVANA SEELSTER is the obvious one to catch and should be used on late Pick 4 tickets. (4) AMERICAN VIRGIN steps up off a sharp win and he isn't out of his league vs. these. (3) CHAMPAGNE PHIL continues to race well, and he should make the board again. Race 11 (5) J JS DELIVERY takes a big class drop while making his fourth start back off a long break; no excuses here. (6) SHADOW PLACE steps up off a solid win and he has been known to string two together in the past; using. (1) SHADOW MARGEAUX should take a piece of this off a good inside following trip. (8) E L WILD SPIRIT can pass some of these in the lane; consider for exotics. Race 12 (1) HOT SPOT HANOVER gets Henry and a much better post here; top call. (4) EVERY TIME raced well for Moreau off the claim last time. She should provide a threat here. (6) MISCHIEVIOUSGIRLS can close and hit the ticket again here. (5) SOUTHWIND ION is another who figures for a smaller share here. (2) BAROCKEY went backwards off a perfect trip last time. She is capable, but unpredictable. [DRF HARNESS NEWSLETTER: Sign Up for the FREE DRF Harness Newsletter. Fresh content and insights delivered each Thursday.]