WINTER MEET STATS: 295-75-50-38 / $499.80 (-$90.20) BEST BETS: 21-9-4-1 / $32.20 (-$9.80) SPOT PLAYS: 20-7-5-4 / $58.60 (+$18.60) BEST BET: ANTOGNONI S (10th) SPOT PLAY: SAINT PATRICK (13th) Race 1: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 1 Pace - Pick 5 Let’s toss out the last start at Yonkers for (6) MASTER MIKI since he owns an awful 12-0-0-2 record there the last three years. His last amateur starts here were versus tougher company and I expect trainer/driver Hernandez will be aggressive in this spot. (4) GINGER TREE PETE was even versus better last week and we get a nice driver change tonight to Beltrami. (2) YER SO BAD moves way inside from post 10; trip win threat. (1) BLUE COLLAR MAN is another that has been stuck on the outside of the gate and really hasn’t been as bad as he looks on paper. He could get an exotics slice at a nice number. (9) WHAMMER JAMMER can certainly win if the race shapes up his way with hot fractions. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: Trackmaster 68 (NW L2/L4 69/70) or less (5) HELEN BACK AGAIN decided she didn’t want to race last week so that line is a throwout. Prior to that she was stung to a 26 2/5 opening quarter and before that was stuck behind a gapper in the four hole. While she is far from a killer, this field is about as soft as it comes and the price will be big. (2) OAHU looks like the clear chalk on paper despite being winless in 20 career starts. Perhaps the addition of McCarthy to the team will make the difference. (6) PHELGON has been consistent in this condition and certainly merits win consideration. Race 3: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 1 Pace - $61,106 Pick 8 Carryover (2) MY WISH CAME TRUE was looped away from the gate and hung for his life last week. In the previous start he was stuck in post 10. Now on the inside of the gate he should get a smooth trip and could pull off an upset with a clean stretch journey. (8) MOONWARDS HANOVER is going to fire off the gate and take this field as far as he can; one to beat. (4) ROCKABILLY CHARM had some pace at the end of the mile last week; trip player. (9) MEET THE CREEPER closed from Freehold to get third last time. Nine-year-old is in form and only needs a reasonable trip to have a shot, though he’s likely to be closing from last again. (1) DANCINMYSOCKS lured Beltrami off my top pick. Race 4: Trackmaster 74.5 (NW L2 76.59) or less (7) LOVE THIS BAR got hung every step of the mile last time but you have to give him credit for losing by less than two lengths. New driver this week will perhaps work out a smoother journey as this guy remains down in class. (4) STEELWORKERS STORY took a big step in the right direction last weekend as he went a clean line. We really didn’t learn that much since he was driven very conservatively and stuck behind a gapper. He did trot home willingly and faces a softer group tonight. I’ll use him if he isn’t the heavy favorite. (6) JULA TACTICALSON doesn’t have the best gait but he grinds out a credible effort each week; underneath only. Race 5: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 1 Pace (6) KNASTY KNUCKLES certainly hung in deep stretch last time and that gave credence to his 1-for-31 career record. The interesting part is that Yogi tried to leave but ran into a freaky-fast Bionic who wasn’t going to give it up to anyone. This seems like a better spot to make the top and sit no worse than the pocket. (2) TARGARYEN EMPRESS kind of got lost went sent wide on the final turn and didn’t find his way until mid-stretch. If he can save ground and find room, his chances improve. (7) FERDINAND A will be leaving hard off the gate as usual and probably get an exotics reward. Race 6: Trackmaster 74.5 (NW L2 76.59) or less/Opt. $10,000 Clm. - $50K GTD Pick 4 (5) SOUTHWIND MAC comes off a big mile where he missed by just a neck despite a difficult trip. He should be tough with a slightly better journey. (10) GO LONG is far from the most reliable horse but he should be very capable in this class if he decides to behave with his gait. I’d take the price from the bad post and hope for the best. (1) YOUMEANDWHISKEY was right there in this class a week ago and you know he’ll be close to the action. Race 7: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L2 $8,300) in last 5 or 5 (NW L2 7) races life/TM 83.5 (NW L2 86.21) or less/Opt. $22,500 Clm. (9) INTERVIEW FRA A took a shot at 33-1 last time by leaving hard from the gate, but after finding a tuck everything went wrong as he was buried along the cones and found stretch traffic. When he finally found a seam it was clear there was trot in the tank. With a class drop weeks away, it makes sense to give it another go tonight. (6) GREEN PASTURES is the most likely winner if he decides to trot the entire mile. I could see playing him if the price drifts to 2-1 or higher. (1) ROCKET MAN HILL has been racing very well of late; trip threat. (2) CALL OPTION is another risky proposition with high upside and a 30-40% chance of making a break. Race 8: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L2 $8,250) in last 5/TM 83.5 (NW L2 85.5) or less - Pick 6 (7) JK PEARL STONE finished well last time for second in her first start since December. Four-year-old may need some pace help but should get it. (6) ABSOLUTE POWER toured the oval from post eight at Pocono last time. Back on the big track, she should be firing off the gate. On her best day she wins this race. (3) POWERED BY MACH takes two steps up the class ladder and that is a big bump. That said, she’s razor sharp now and should still be very competitive unless someone pops off a big mile. (2) JUST ROSAS LUCK comes in sharp from Monticello and this barn won its only start last week. (5) ZUMA BEACH keeps McCarthy over the top pick, but that could be due to loyalty to a bigger stakes barn. Race 9: Trackmaster 77.5 (NW L2 80.30) or less (7) KINGPIN HANOVER was never relaxed along the pylons in his return from vacation at Saratoga and eventually rolled into a break into the third turn trying to go around tiring cover. The switch back to the bigger oval should help any issues. (3) REMARKABLE DE VIE saved ground and finished up nicely. Veteran is going good now. (4) LORANGA qualified well at Pocono after a few months on the sidlines. He’s certainly fast enough to wire this field if ready to roll and Boyd stuck here over #7. Race 10: JL Cruze leg 1 for winners over $10,500 in last 5 or $50,000 life - $50K GTD Pick 4 This field is loaded with early speed, especially on the outside of the gate. That should play into the hands of (3) ANTOGNONI S as he returns from a bit more than three months on the sidelines. The qualifier was strong, the barn had a good weekend here, and he should benefit from racing just off the pace. (8) ASTEROID probably would’ve won last week if he found a clear path a bit sooner. That’s not to say he had more late than the winner but that she got the jump on him. He should be a player on the win end if not roughed up by the early speed players on his outside. (1) RESOLVE TO WIN will need a bit of good fortune and a good steer but he can be competitive at a much better price than last time. Race 11: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73.05) or less (5) GONNA BE A STAR has worked out some good situations at Dover but deserves credit for winning convincingly in her last two tries. She tackles older foes now but in a cheap condition that she should be able to handle. (4) ALMOST KAREN couldn’t handle winning on the engine last time but still seems like one of the ladies to beat in here. (6) AMAZING WISH gets away from the sharpest horse in the class. She won in this condition five starts back. Race 12: Trackmaster 74.5 (NW L2 76.5) or less/Opt. $10,000 Clm. (9) PINK LUMIERE has won three straight and certainly deserved a bump up the class ladder. Four-year-old may finally be coming into her own. (2) DEFAMATION raced evenly last time after missing four weeks of action. She doesn’t jump off the page but could sit close and pounce with a clean trip. (7) KARPATHIAN QUEEN comes down from Saratoga for a barn that has had success. This gal has form. (3) CATNAP owns some early speed and form; prefer underneath. (5) PRINCESS AMERICA adds Lasix; magic potion? [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 13: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73) or less/Opt. $7,500 Clm. (5) SAINT PATRICK displayed good early speed but got shuffled a bit in his first start since September. In the lane he was hopelessly stuck behind horses and would’ve won with clearance. That Beckwith jumps to the bigger Robinson barn on #8 means our price should improve. (6) LANDIA was used hard to the front, wound up first over and battled gamely in defeat; must-use in Pick 4/6. (1) MR GRANT has been racing well and seems worthy of exotics consideration. Race 14: Non-winners $2,500 (NW1 in 2025-26 $3,830) in last 5/TM 77.5 (NW L2 79.5) or less (7) HOUSE BLEND was up against it in NW2 with the race going in a swift 1:51 1/5. This condition and competition is much more appealing. (5) SHE STINGS moves into a very live barn. This gal clearly has some ability. (3) MIZ CAPTAIN CRUZE got an easy mile in her return from the sidelines and then drew outside at Pocono, so toss that line. Don’t be shocked if she wakes up with a big effort at a price. (1) QUEEN SUN RYSER has a win chance with the right trip.