WINTER MEET STATS: 70-13-14-10 / $73.60 (-$66.40) BEST BETS: 5-1-2-1 / $3.40 (-$6.60) SPOT PLAYS: 5-1-0-2 / $4.20 (-$5.80) BEST BET: TWIN B SUNKISSED (3rd) SPOT PLAY: ARTIST BEST (12th) Race 1: Trackmaster 68 (NW L4 69) or less - Pick 5 (3) TARGARYEN EMPRESS took a bit more money than I expected last time and was just even late after chasing somewhat moderate fractions. With a ton of early speed signed on to this event there should be a better opportunity from her from off the pace. (8) OAHU couldn’t hack it on the engine last time in some respects but did go a pretty quick mile; clear contender but don’t take a short price again. (10) MISS YOU JOANN is in great form and plenty versatile. (9) RONA MAE is probably going to come away last and that means she’ll need the race to fall apart late, which is certainly a possibility. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 1 Pace (4) MARSHALL ZHUKOV was in the much better of the Amateur races last weekend and there really wasn’t much opportunity for him to get a big piece after the field went 1:26 to three quarters. Six-year-old lands in a much softer spot from a better post this week. (1) URBAN RENEWAL should push away hard from the inside to gain good tactical position in a race without a clear standout. (7) THE OPENER has been consistent of late in the amateur ranks and he has the early speed to make some noise. Race 3: Non-winners $5,000 in last 5/TM 80.5 (NW L2 82.5) or less - Survivor 7 (6) TWIN B SUNKISSED drops a notch for new connections tonight following a $37,000 auction purchase. Note that she’s moving out of a barn that has started slowly with just one win in 30 starts into one with five victories in 17 tries. (1) ODDS ON SARA SARA is very sharp right now but sometimes has trouble getting the job done on the win end when up in company. (2) COVER THE CROWN showed that she is this good by rallying to be third in this condition last time. Race 4: Non-winners $5,000 (NW L2 $5,500) in last 5/TM 80.5 (NW L2 82.5) or less (3) BANK ON ME was way overbet last time and I wasn’t surprised by it. The effort was quite brave as he came first-over at the half and battled through the wire without a sign of making a miscue with the hobbles added. He’s perhaps the one to beat here but not a horse to play at odds-on. (4) HERMOSO REY climbs the ladder again after two straight wins and deserves respect; new driver Ryder should be a good fit. (10) ROCKET MAN HILL has the early speed to overcome the post but doesn’t like to race on the lead; needs right trip. (5) HOWLINGATTHEMOON DK has missed a few weeks of action and seems likely to wait and pounce late in the mile; needs right trip. Race 5: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 1 Pace (6) SEIZE CONTROL had no pace to chase last time in the tougher amateur division and lands in a very winnable spot here with Neil Glasser taking over the lines again. (9) FRAZIER HANOVER certainly has the early zip to get into the race despite the bad draw. The problem is his unreliability on the win end. (10) DUNCANS RANGER gets driver and trainer changes tonight. He is sharp enough to contend given the right journey. (1) BARE BONES was toasted by being too close to the pace last week in a fast mile. He can sit close here and get a piece. Race 6: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L2 $8,300) in last 5/TM 83.5 (NW L2 85.5) or less - $50K GTD Pick 4 (9) HIGH SPEED SWAN rallied very nicely in his first start since Halloween while trying to catch much more talented foes, including a sharp Super Duper Cooper who is in race 10 tonight. The post isn’t ideal but it won’t matter if he’s ready to rumble as I believe. (5) SPENDING CRAZY and (3) DISTANT DRUMS were both full of trot late and ran into all kinds of stretch traffic. The former gets the nod for second because the latter may’ve broken regardless as it’s been in his DNA lately. (1) LAFERRARIDMANCHIE S took care of business in her U.S. debut qualifiers for a good barn. She clearly has a shot but I fear she may be overbet. Race 7: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L2 $8,250) in last 5/TM 83.5 (NW L2 85.5) or less (5) SWEDISH STARLET N showed some early speed, ended up uncovered and couldn’t sustain her rally. If Athearn can get her to the front or behind live cover, she has a serious chance. (3) ODDS ON ACES FULL was perhaps a bit short in her first start after 30 days on the sidelines. She deserves a shot here at what should be good odds. (1) ABSOLUTE POWER finally draws inside after a strong of nine-holes. She has big early speed in her arsenal and should be in play. (6) PERFIDIOUS CROWN has won in this class before and certainly has a shot; driver change. Race 8: Non-winners 2 (NW L2 3) races or $20,000 (NW L2 $30,000) life - Pick 6 - $4,271.89 Carryover (8) YOULLFINDOUT was a good second behind a 1-5 winner who got the jump on her last time. Mare seems to have found a good spot to shine. (7) ITHADTOBEYOU left and had some issues on the first turn before settling down on the backstretch and attacking the same heavy chalk that defeated the top pick. The issues resurfaced on the final turn and she tired. That was only her first start for this barn and I imagine they’ve learned something from the experience. (9) PERFECT SMILE GB was a pretty consistent winner back in her homeland. The qualifier was ok and perhaps she’ll come out strong despite the bad draw. Race 9: $7,500-$10,000 Claiming Handicap (1) QUEEN SUN RYSER scratched out of a $6K claimer from the eight-hole for what looks like a much better money-making opportunity. She’s won here a number of times in the past, lands a hot driver and should be in striking position to win. (2) PULL ME THROUGH and (3) SWEET SANDY are two of many in here dropping in for a new low claiming price after racing in mostly conditioned races. Both have early speed in their arsenal and should be in play. (8) SCARLET MOON lands the meet’s top driver as he decided to pick off my top pick. Race 10: Winners over $12,500 in last 5 or $50,000 life/NW $12,500 last 5 draw inside - $50K GTD Pick 4 (5) TAKE ALL COMERS looks to have been tiring in the qualifying win but was actually well in hand and never asked. Millionaire should be headed to the front this week. (2) OUTSIDE THE FIRE and (6) RESOLVE TO WIN are both quality horses who have proven capable of racing well off the bench. It is difficult to leave either off your Pick 4 tickets. Race 11: Trackmaster 68 (NW L4 69) or less (2) WHATINEEDISAMAN was facing better at Saratoga and I’m willing to overlook the uninvolved try last time after missing 31 days of action. She’s got as good of a chance as anyone in a field that simply doesn’t like to win. (6) LOVELY LADY MAY exits a tougher claiming race and perhaps that along with the switch to the hot Colin Kelly will perk her up. (9) EA MUSHU had more wins in 2025 than the rest of the field combined. That said, her best races tend to come when she draws inside. Race 12: $7,500 Claiming (5) ARTIST BEST was never involved from an outside post while in for a higher claiming tag. Both of those issues are resolved here and hopefully we’ll get a win at good odds. (7) LEAVE AND ROLL HAS WON TWO STRAIGHT SINCE JOINING THE Fusco barn and certainly has a shot for the hat trick. (3) ITHACA HANOVER should be able to get around the two to his inside and he was second in this class last time. (8) ROCK JAGGER is another horse that keeps Beckwith over my top pick. We’ll tally the score at the end of the night and see who was right more. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 13: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73.05) or less (3) JOB CRUNCH raced well on the barn change with Lasix added. Four-year-old really doesn’t even need to improve to win tonight. (7) COSTA DIVA dips a bit in class and figures to be leaving the gate. Without too much obvious speed to her inside a smooth trip is very possible. (2) DEFAMATION probably should’ve won last week but certainly still has a shot here. Guess what? Beckwith went here instead of with my top selection. Race 14: Non-winners $2,500 (NW L2 $3,100) in last 5/TM 77.5 (NW L2/2L6 79.55/80) or less (2) PRIDEFUL came home fine in the snow after chasing really slow fractions in her qualifier. Judging by her last couple of starts before the layoff she needed the time off and could be back ready to rumble in a soft spot. (3) JUST ROSAS LUCK could be tighter in her second start back but seems like a fit here. (4) TWIN B EMPRESS lures Beckwith off four other horses. Recent $6,200 online purchase could pay immediate dividends with a victory.