WINTER MEET STATS: 154-47-18-19 / $281.60 (-$29.40) BEST BETS: 11-3-3-0 / $12.20 (-$9.80) SPOT PLAYS: 11-2-2-1 / $7.80 (-$14.20) BEST BET: LYONS LIBERTY (10th) SPOT PLAY: FASHION CANTAB (12th) Race 1: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 1 Pace - Pick 5 (5) IAMMRBRIGHTSIDE N came first-over and was pretty bad last time. Efforts like that can typically be ignored, especially when the horse is back in-to-go at the next opportunity. 15-year-old had a tough trip in his prior start and might be able to awaken at a price versus a very soft field. (2) LOU ON THE BEACH is clearly facing the easiest field he has seen in quite some time. Slendorn can fire one off the gate and perhaps we’ll see that tonight. (8) INCREDIBLE BADGER was parked every step last time out. A better trip could produce a better result. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: Trackmaster 68.5 (NW L2/2L4 69/69.5) or less The power, if you want to call it that, seems to be on the outside of the gate in this race. (6) LADYZAR was used a bit to get a tuck last week and while lacking a stretch rally she wasn’t awful either. That was her first start since December 12 and there is certainly reason to believe she can show more. (8) THANEEYA has finished second in her last two tries in this class. She’ll likely be the favorite and I’m not sure she’s worth less than 2-1. (10) BRIGHTEN YOUR LIFE drops back down to the level of her last win and she overcame an outside post to score in that January 31 start; Boyd’s choice over top pick. Race 3: Trackmaster 68.5 (NW L2/2L4 69/69.5) or less - Survivor 7 (5) TRANSFER THE ERA really wasn’t that bad last time and finished up his mile with steady pace. In his two prior starts post nine was a factor. Five-year-old doesn’t win often at 5-for-77 lifetime, but he should offer better value than (4) THE OPENER, who is 4-for-52 in his career. He was stuck in post nine in his last two starts and closed really well for second last time; odds-on price likely. (6) PAPRIKE BLUE CHIP got blown away by The Opener on January 17. That said, he’s fairly consistent and can win at good odds given the right trip. (1) GAIUS CRASTINUS tried to win on the engine and couldn’t last weekend. He can definitely play with these given the right trip. Race 4: Non-winners 2 (NW L2 3) races or $20,000 (NW L2 $30,000) life/Maidens draw inside There are some interesting 3- and 4-year-olds in this group. (9) ROCKET MAN HILL was bet down to 4-5 in his first start since early September and couldn’t go the distance after opening up a sizable lead. That start will certainly do him well and the price will be much higher. At least he seems likely to be forwardly placed. (4) ELEGANT RESOLVE gapped at the back before uncorking a strong turn of foot in the stretch when last seen two weeks back. The lightbulb could be ready to go on with hobbles added as a 4-year-old but don’t take too short of a price on a horse with only one win from 27 starts. (5) TE QUIERO LINDY his been very impressive in his last two starts and I certainly respect his chances, but it’s been four weeks since we’ve seen him and he’ll have to catch them from behind. (2) INDUSTRIALISTS dropped four seconds off his career best in his first try at The Meadowlands and for this barn. If they can get more out of him there is a chance he can play with this group. Race 5: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 1 Pace (10) MUSCLE FACTORY A has had trouble staying on the track recently as evidenced by two absences, one six weeks and another one lasting four. Now he finally races back in consecutive weeks and you know he is capable when right. I’ll take a positive view since the price will be right from post 10. (9) FERDINAND A did his usual thing on the lead and was actually able to dig in for the win over (2) CHECKONWILLIAM GB last Friday. Both are obvious contenders and will take the majority of the tote action. Race 6: Winners 2-4 (NW L2 5) races life/TM 83 or less - $50K GTD Pick 4 (4) CUSTOM FIT qualified back nicely for a barn that tends to send them out ready to roll. (5) CROWN MONARCH was even in his first start in two months; more now? (7) LUKE’S BAR put in his best effort yet last time. Can he take another step forward? Race 7: Trackmaster 71.5 (NW L2/2L4/Not 3rd L5 72/72.55/72.95) or less/4YO Maidens/Opt. $7,500 Clm. (4) JUST MY MAMA is just so sharp right now. There are no killers in here and she might be able to step up. (2) COSTA DIVA made her first start since last April a week ago and was just even. She could definitely move forward now. (8) TARGARYEN EMPRESS finally got a class drop last time and wound up in a bad spot behind slow fractions while just missing at the wire; needs to be put in play Race 8: Non-winners $3,000 (NW L2 $3,340) in last 4/TM 77.5 or less - Pick 6 (9) RECKLESS REVIVER has been dropping in class week after week. Last time he finally reached this level and was a good second. I’m expecting more speed tonight against a soft field. (6) CHIPLOSIVE was too far back starting from post nine most recently. This 9-year-old is still capable on his best. (1) BACARDI is undoubtedly the sharpest of the group. I’ll be using him underneath on the bump up in company. Race 9: Non-winners $3,000 in last 4/TM 77.5 (NW L2/2L4 78/78.55) or less (3) FEARLESS SHELIA brushed and turned in a very impressive performance in her second start for this barn. I’m going to stick with her even though Miller opted off. (1) MISS CHANTILLY N gets a barn change tonight. Import has a bit of class to her and maybe Tritton can awaken her. (10) FIRSTUP has been super for the last month but she draws worst and loses Miller tonight. (6) YOU BEDA ROCK has been top three in each of her last two tries at this level. (2) SWEETEST BELLE gets a new driver and is clearly a player on her best effort. Race 10: $12,500-$15,000 Clm. Hcp. - $50K GTD Pick 4 (7) LYONS LIBERTY is back in a $15K claimer where he blew away a field at 2-5 on January 25. He should fire out here and sit no worse than a pocket trip. (8) APERTIF has been first or second in nearly half his lifetime starts. Five-year-old is sharp and very dangerous. (5) GOOD ROCKIN should be firing to the front as usual but wasn’t able to handle #8 last time here. Race 11: Trackmaster 71.5 (NW L2/2L4 72/72.75) or less (5) HEARTLANDBANYSBRO has been doing really good work in the amateur ranks and lands in a nice spot this week. Herschberger takes over the driving and you have to expect he’ll have this guy in striking position. (1) PACK YOUR BAGS went nowhere from post 10 but won three starts back in this class from an inside post. (4) SKYWAY BILLY is feeling good now and seems capable of the one level class rise. (10) HOUND ON THE BEACH tried it on the engine last time and tired versus better horses; drops. Race 12: Trackmaster 73.5 (NW L2/2L4 74/74.5) or less (4) FASHION CANTAB finally showed me some life last week with a good first-over move. If that is an indication that he’s about to come around then this field is in trouble. (7) JAYDENS PRIDE was a good third behind two horses that had to bump up in class this week; obvious contender with Miller driving. (2) PARODY did win in this class two starts back. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 13: Trackmaster 71.5 (NW L2/2L4/Not 3rd L5 72/72.55/72.95) or less/4YO Maidens/Opt. $7,500 Clm. (6) LYONS MIKI circled the field to win going away in her last try at this level despite a bad post. You should get fair value despite that recent success. (4) ILLUSTRIOUSARDEN N never saw the pylons and looked done on the final turn last week before coming back to win. New barn has been having a good meet. (5) CARBON CIDER had a much better trip and couldn’t beat #4 a week ago. She could be sharper in her second start off the bench. Race 14: $7,500 Claiming (6) B LIKE CRUISER drops down the claiming ladder. Nine-year-old is perfect in two starts (at Dover) at that level. (3) I’LL HUNT YOU DOWN looks great on paper having crushed a 7500 claiming field last time, but he did take advantage of a very fast pace and the price won’t be great tonight. (9) UNEXPECTED TWIST gained well late last time on the barn change with Lasix added; more now? (1) ALBERTA A’ SCOOTIN owns back to back second-place finishes in this class.