WINTER MEET STATS: 267-67-44-34 / $449.40 (-$84.60) BEST BETS: 19-8-3-1 / $28.60 (-$9.40) SPOT PLAYS: 18-6-4-4 / $54.00 (+$18.00) BEST BET: SAMMY JO HANOVER (8th) SPOT PLAY: LANDIA (13th) Race 1: Trackmaster 68 (NW L2/L4 69/70) or less - Pick 5 (10) CENTURY LEXUS was used to a fast half most recently and just missed in a big mile. The outside post isn’t ideal, but at least we know she has the early speed and there is reason to hope for another strong performance given that she should be fresh in just her second start since early March. (1) RONA MAE lacks form but does visit the Trackmaster basement this week; needs smooth trip. (3) CATCH SOME SUN should be firing off the gate. Five-year-old is sharp and should offer value with the trainer in the bike. (6) OAHU does just enough every week to make you think next week could be the time she wins. After 19 starts with no wins, I wouldn’t trust her in the top spot. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 1 Pace (5) TARGARYEN EMPRESS landed in the amateur ranks last time and really did nothing wrong. He was handled conservatively, spent much of the stretch angling to the far outside and finished with pace. Hopefully Beltrami will give him a better trip here. (3) FERDINAND A isn’t a horse I’m loving on the win end right now but he does find a field that seems to lack early speed, which is his calling card. (4) ROJAN’S WAY was a convincing winner last time; clear threat on best. Race 3: Non-winners $2,500 (NW L2 $3,351) in last 5 or 3 races lifetime - $52,179 Pick 8 Carryover (2) HOWLINGATHEMOON DK went another steady mile in a fast race (1:53) as he continues to search for a field that he can take charge against. Falling to the conditioned basement this week, it seems like a now or never moment versus a field full of question marks. (5) AARDIEBYTHEHILL N drops out of the same race as the top pick and more importantly gets a key driver change to Beckwith after poor tactical decision making last week. (6) STEELWORKERS STORY & (8) TRAVOLTA HANOVER are two seemingly capable horses that still have some work to do. The former finished with trot in his return qualifier but was handled with kid gloves early in the mile. The latter draws outside again and couldn’t quite get to the top pick last time. Race 4: Trackmaster 77.5 (NW 2L4 79.60) or less (8) GERONIMO TRIO IT rolled to an impressive victory last time versus slightly cheaper foes. Four-year-old can handle the hike as long as he doesn’t face too much traffic on his way to the top. (4) CHIPLOSIVE wasn’t really given much of a chance and sat somewhat bottled up in traffic last time. Is this the week the training wheels come off this classy veteran and they give it a go? (2) SOUTHWIND MAC jumped it off leaving the gate last Friday. There is no reason to believe that will happen again. Race 5: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 1 Pace (5) DUCK INTO THE NITE finished well from an impossible spot for a barn that has been firing on all cylinders lately. Hernandez should be able to pick up live cover here from (4) WARRAWEE YANKEE, who is also sharp and drawn right to his inside. (8) HASHTAG MONEY worked very hard to make the front in 26 3/5 last time and looking at this field, the road to the front should be easier this week. (3) THE OPENER almost has to leave in this spot. If he does the positioning should be perfect for success. Race 6: Trackmaster 74.5 (NW L2 76.50) or less - $50K GTD Pick 4 (2) BACARDI picked up Beckwith and lost by just a nose last time to a better horse. He jumps off for one of his main accounts (Engblom) but picks up a good substitute in Herschberger; no excuse for failure. (4) YOUMEANDWHISKEY should be hustled away off the gate here and that figures to lead to a good trip. That said, she doesn’t like to win and is more of an exotics play. (8) LOVE THIS BAR is going to take some tote attention on the class drop to the level of his last win. Note that the trip worked out perfect in that March 13 race. Race 7: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 1 Pace This is clearly the softest of the amateur races on the card. If (4) PACK YOUR BAGS can just sit patiently in the early stages, there is no reason to believe he can’t come first over and pace by the leaders. (2) ROCKABILLY CHARM has been awful of late but does land in a perfect spot. Can Lee get him to the front without having to tax him too much early? (5) FLYING TIGER is capable of putting in a strong mile at times and if he has one in the tank, tonight would be the right time to put it on display. Race 8: Non-winners $5,000 (NW L2 $5,500) in last 5 or 6 races life (drawn outside) /TM 80.76 (NW L2 82.55) or less - Pick 6 Returning from a few weeks away and making just her second start of the year, (7) SAMMY JO HANOVER put in a huge mile to miss by a neck after being used hard through a 54 4/5 half. Anything close to that mile would make her tough here. (9) SWEET ODDS put in a very credible effort in her return qualifier. This 4-year-old seems like a fit and the barn isn’t scared to send them out ready. (1) QUEEN SUN RYSER has been sharp here and might just be able to get a big piece despite the class jump. Race 9: Winners over $12,500 in last 5 or $50,000 life (Handicap) (7) ASTEROID raced very well here two starts back to be third after showing early speed and getting shuffled to last. He then promptly took care of business at Yonkers in his second start of the year. Let’s give him the narrow edge in a nice field. (4) BRAVO ANGEL S is a horse that could definitely taker advantage if they mix it up on the engine. Note that her qualifier was better than it looks as Bartlett never really showed her daylight as he was content to follow from the pocket. (5) RESOLVE TO WIN bested the top pick when they met up on March 6 and the second choice in the qualifier; obvious threat, especially with Tim Tetrick making a cameo appearance to drive one horse on his way home from Yonkers. Race 10: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73.05) or less/Opt. $7,500 Clm. - $50K GTD Pick 4 (1) HOLD MY TIARA couldn’t keep up on the rim while gapping through a fast third quarter but gets credit for not losing touch and finishing with interest in what was her best mile in some time. Six-time winner last year may be ready to awaken. (9) PINK LUMIERE has won two straight and would be the obvious pick from an inside post. I’ll still be using her in the Pick 4. (5) SPROUT has been racing better since she switched to off the pace tactics; using underneath. Race 11: Trackmaster 74.5 (NW L2/L4 76.5/76.94) or less (2) SWEET SANDY hasn’t been able to seal the deal lately after being used too hard early in the mile. In a shorter field without much early speed, I can see her turning the tables. (3) ROMA AMOR is back at the TM 74 level where she’s been second twice in her last three tries. (8) PATTYCAKE MACH was super in her first start for the new barn but got caught in a fast mile last time; contender with right trip. Race 12: $7,500 Claiming (7) SWIFTY LAZAR moves into a live barn that has been sending out some horses to some big miles during the meet. I’ll take a favorable view since I don’t love any of the others. (4) CAMCO LUCAS is plenty sharp but has a bad case of seconditis. (6) SUNSHINE SHELBY N hasn’t won in years and is just 3 for 43 lifetime, but we do get a claiming price reduction this week and a new driver for a good barn. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 13: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73) or less (5) LANDIA was the victim of a bad trip last time. Prior to that she turned in a nice mile for second. New driver tonight! (3) CHASING CRYSTALS was also part of that same early pace last time that hurt the top pick. The ride has to be smoother tonight. (1) BIG NUDGE was a winner when last seen at this level. (2) NICCOLO has been in the amateur series at Yonkers in his first two tries for this barn. Venue and driver change could make a world of difference. (9) CALDERONE moves into a high percentage barn but hasn’t been seen in more than five weeks. Race 14: Trackmaster 68 (NW L2/L4 69/70) or less (2) EA MUSHU isn’t a horse I’m excited to play, but she should make the front without breaking a sweat and tonight she tackles a weak group with a 2-for-50 record this year. (6) BRIGHTEN YOUR LIFE & (9) LOVELY LADY MAY have displayed the best recent form and both should be considered.