FINAL WINTER MEET STATS: 379-97-70-50 / $610.40 (-$147.60) BEST BETS: 27-12-4-4 / $39.40 (-$14.60) SPOT PLAYS: 26-9-7-4 / $67.60 (+$15.60) BEST BET: COCCO PUFF POWER (2nd) SPOT PLAY: TWIN B MSAMERICANA (5th) Race 1: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 1 Pace - Pick 5 (3) SWIFTY LAZAR gets an interesting condition shift into the softer amateur split on the card and has a chance to awaken. (8) JONAH rallied well for third two starts back when last in against this kind. Do we see some early speed this week? (2) KNASTY KNUCKLES hasn’t been able to get over the hump but has been right there every week. (7) BLUE COLLAR MAN was Yogi’s choice; early speed coming. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: Non-winners $2,500 in last 5/TM 77.5 (NW 2L4 79.5) or less (7) COCCO PUFF POWER took all the money and disappointed in her debut for the Engblom barn. That said, she did miss 54 days prior to that start and was overdriven when McCarthy pulled the pocket before the half in that mile. Let’s look for an improved effort tonight. (6) ABBYS DANCE also debuted for new connections off a 26-day absence of her own. She finished a few lengths ahead of the top pick last time and is a serious threat. (2) SWIFT SARABI is down in class and draws well, but doesn’t win often and the barn has also struggled to get wins at the meet. Race 3: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L2 $8,250) in last 5/TM 83.5 (NW L2 85.5) or less - Pick 6 (7) ROMEO’S JULIET was in theory a bit short after missing a few weeks, but it is worth noting that the mile went in 1:50 2/5 and none of these have broken the 1:51 mark in the last 1.5 years. The outside draw isn’t ideal but I do expect we’ll see much more from this young lady tonight. Mark Herschberger was listed on four horses in the field and landed on (5) MANHATTAN PROJECT. The mare has just enough early form and speed to think she can be a serious player. (1) SPLASH OF PINK just missed in this class a week ago with a good finish, though she was helped by a fast first quarter that took the sting out of some foes. Race 4: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 1 Pace (5) HASHTAG MONEY was a 13-1 shot that was driven like a 4-5 in his last start. New driver this week is unlikely to make that mistake. (1) NATIONAL SPORT and (2) HOLD MY TIARA are two capable horses moving from outside posts to the inside of the gate. Either could step up their games at decent odds. (10) AMERICAN MERCURY is down in class. (4) FRAZIER HANOVER should be along for at least a share but it is hard to guess when he’s going to win. Race 5: Trackmaster 68 (NW L2/L4 69/70) or less (7) TWIN B MSAMERICANA caught a soft field last time but ended up chasing a very fast pace and was sapped of her energy. This race seems likely to go slower and this group is certainly weak to say the least. (4) LOVELY LADY MAY should fire out and sit a nice trip. She had all kinds of traffic trouble in the stretch last week. (9) HELEN BACK AGAIN figures to make the front and is the most logical – if not uninspiring and unreliable – winner. Race 6: Non-winners $7,500 in last 5 or non-starters in 2026/TM 83.5 (NW L2 85.67) or less - $50K GTD Pick 4 If I play this Pick 4 I’m likely going to spread or take a stab with the two best-priced horses of the logical contenders because I just can’t seem to land on a strong opinion here. (6) BOURBONISTA S owns a 26 2/5 last quarter that stands out in her first try for new trainer Marcus Melander. That said, it wasn’t as visually impressive as it looks on paper. (5) GERONIMO TRIO IT looked as good as I’ve seen him last week. Do we get that same effort again? Is he overbet? I would play him at 3-1 or higher. (3) INTERVIEW FRA A has been sitting on a win in some respects but doesn’t catch the softest field tonight; mixed feelings. (7) CALL OPTION is always a threat at this level when he behaves. Race 7: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 1 Pace (3) ROCKABILLY CHARM gets a better post to work with tonight and finds a field with ample early speed to set him up from just off the pace. (6) CHEESE OMELET gets an interesting driver change to a former Amateur of the Year. (5) MEET THE CREEPER got a good setup and was flat last time. Was that an anomaly or a sign of retreating form? Race 8: Trackmaster 68 (NW L2/L4 69/70) or less - Pick 5 (1) THANEEYA was a good uncovered second last week in her best effort in some time. 10-year-old is very capable at this level when feeling good. (3) EA MUSHU tends to be a big win player when she draws inside in this class. (5) JUST MY MAMA is at a winning level as well if the pace/trip work out in her favor. (2) BELLA’S DREAM won at the TM 68 level two starts back but I’d caution that it was a “default” win where the field lacked any serious competition. Race 9: Non-winners $5,000 (NW L2 $5,500) in last 5/TM 80.5 (NW L2 82.5) or less (6) MR CONTESTANT stays in the same NW5000 class on paper but this field isn’t quite the caliber of that one. Any of the three horses that beat him last time would likely be favored in here. (5) SOUTHWIND MAC comes off a big mile where he was part of a hot pace and still finished second; contender. (4) ISLANDGIRL HANOVER is a 3-year-old with some talent. Will she be firing in her first start since September? (2) BACARDI elected to jump ship on my top pick for this guy, so maybe I’m wrong? Or maybe not! Race 10: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73) or less - $50K GTD Pick 4 (8) C KAN TROT had company leaving the gate last week and that led to a brutal trip where he was parked past the half and ultimately stopped badly in the stretch. Logic states that the journey can only be smoother this time. (3) LANDIA got an old-school Meadowlands shuffle last week and she’s simply not talented enough to make a second move during a race; needs better setup. (1) MR GRANT is making a good living finishing third in this class. (6) MASSTER BLUE and (7) MR INSTIGATOR both have recent wins in this class. Race 11: Non-winners 2 (NW L2 3) races life for 3YO C&G (1) DOLLAR DRAFT was eager off the gate in his comeback qualifier but quickly reigned in to last before going an even mile. This barn has won seven of 12 starts coming back from layoffs since the start of 2025 and produced a 137% ROI. (4) PRACTICAL MAN also turned in a solid first qualifier before a so-so second attempt. Although his gait isn’t perfect, he does appear to be a contender here and McCarthy is showing up for this race to drive. (6) BRICCO rallied nicely in his first qualifier and then stopped on the engine last time. It may be that he needs to chase, or perhaps we’ll get a bridle change on Friday. Don’t give up on him yet, even if Dunn did by choosing #8. (3) SOUTHWIND FARGO did nothing wrong in winning his comeback qualifier. Race 12: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73.05) or less/Opt. $7,500 Clm. (2) JOB CRUNCH is technically moving up in class but so are a number of these. While some will point out that she came up short, it is worth noting that she was part of a fast pace and that may’ve cost her the win; second chance here. (8) PINK LUMIERE is the one to beat on paper but perhaps not as sharp as she was a few weeks back. (1) SAULSBROOK FEISTY could get braver from the inside post. (5) KATIE COTTON adds Zeron. She has shown me enough to think there is more in the tank given the right trip. (7) ALMOST KAREN had no shot from post 10 last time and was used hard to the front in the previous two tries. I wouldn’t be shocked if she got a big piece here. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 13 – Trackmaster 74.5 (NW L2 76.5) or less/Opt. $10,000 Clm. (1) TWO BEAN DREAM steps up off a sharp win. Four-year-old has a proven track record of success (12-for-34 lifetime) and really doesn’t face a field full of killers. (4) TARGARYEN EMPRESS has been solid lately in the amateur ranks and fits here. (5) PAPI’S DREAM takes on older but gets class relief with that move; contender. Race 14: Non-winners 2 (NW L2 3) races life for 3YO Fillies (5) CHE BELLA didn’t exactly fire a big shot off the bench but it wasn’t an awful 2026 debut mile. Note that she adds Lasix here and perhaps that answers some of the questions. I’ll take a shot with her even if McCarthy decided the #1 is better. While (10) RANI HANOVER doesn’t appear to have the talent of her impressive parents, I was satisfied with her two qualifiers and she hardly catches the best field tonight. (1) DIAMOND BAY won her seasonal debut and certainly merits attention.