FINAL WINTER MEET STATS: 405-112-75-60 / $657.00 (-$153.00) BEST BETS: 26-9-11-0 / $42.00 (-$10.00) SPOT PLAYS: 29-6-6-4 / $22.00 (-$36.00) BEST BET: MADRID A (11th) SPOT PLAY: I’LL HUNT YOU DOWN (9th) Race 1: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 1 Pace - Pick 5 (8) BRAZEN BRAZILIAN hasn’t done much in two starts since returning from vacation, but this is a clear class drop and he’s certainly as good as or better than any of these when on his game. I’ll roll the dice here and hope he’s ready to awaken. (5) SKYWAY BILLY dropped to this class last time and did ok from post 10; moves inside. (3) BETTER THAN SOME has the early speed to get into contention and Yogi in the bike. (2) TONY N ROCK was fried in the early pace last time, his first start in a month. He could be sharper here. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: Trackmaster 68 (NW L2/L4 68.5/69) or less There is plenty of potential early speed in here on the outside of the gate so I’m going to try a horse on the inside who can save ground and hopefully pounce at the right time. (2) COLE ON THE BEACH closed in nicely with no shot last time after tracking slow fractions. That was his best effort in some time and perhaps an indicator that good things are coming. (1) WARRAWEE XCEED picks up a new driver this week after a long run in the amateur ranks. He should get a better trip than what he’s been accustomed to in recent weeks. (3) EVER M is the one to beat, but he was last week too and didn’t deliver. (4) PAPRIKE BLUE CHIP drops to the level of his last win, though this barn isn’t going as well as it was a month ago. [DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Meadowlands card at DRF Bets.com!] Race 3: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2/L4/2L10 71.5/72.05/72.80) or less - Survivor 7 (8) AINTNOHOLLABACKGRL climbs the Trackmaster Rating ladder but really doesn’t face a very strong field. If she comes close to the mile she put in last weekend then the results will be another win picture after the race. (3) ALMOST KAREN already made the same jump that the top pick is making and rallied well for third in her last start; contender. (4) LADYZAR moves down the ladder but was far from reliable in recent starts for TM71. Don’t accept a short price. (5) CHEDDAR SHREDDER didn’t show much in her debut for this barn at Monticello, but that was no shock considering the outside post and five week break in action. I’ll be using her on my Pick 5 ticket. (2) EXCITING TIMES A is at least worth a look on the addition of Tetrick to the team. Race 4: Winners 2-4 (NW L2 5) races life (3) YANNICK G KEMP has been raced conservatively in both starts this year and was actually sneaky good late last week. He hardly jumps off the page here but neither do any of the others. Let’s hope the new driver gets him into better position here. (1) ROCKET MAN HILL shouldn’t have an issue sticking very close to the pace in this abbreviated field. If he’s sitting the pocket a win is certainly possible; adds Lasix. (2) LUKE’S BAR always seems to be too far back and last time the top pick simply out-kicked him. His best is good enough and I’d try him if the price remains around double digits. (6) HIDALGO is a talented yet erratic youngster. He can win but I’d prefer to watch on the sidelines for at least one start. Race 5: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 1 Pace (6) BIONIC added Lasix coming back from more than a month on the sidelines and raced much better, especially considering he was used very hard vying for the front. The path to the top should be easier this time if Shults chooses that option. (10) LOU ON THE BEACH blew away lesser despite a broken hobble. While this is a tougher spot, the barn seems to be able to win from anywhere on the track. (9) FERDINAND A will be gunning to the front as usual. Can he go the distance? Race 6: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L2 $8,250) in last 4/TM 83.5 (NW L2/2L4 84/84.5) or less - $50K GTD Pick 4 (1) WESTWINDS took a nice tour of the track in her 2025 debut while never being put in play. She draws inside now and should be ready to open up the throttle more versus a rather soft NW7500 field. (2) HURRIKANE LADY LOU returns to the big track where she has done some good work, including a second in this class last November. She’ll be the other horse on my Pick 4 ticket. (5) IDEAL SKIES raced big in her first try for this barn and then went a rough trip last time. If she comes back to form a win is certainly within reach. Race 7: Trackmaster 74.5 (NW L2/2L4 75/75.5) or less (5) SAULSBROOK RAPTOR has put in a number of strong efforts in this TM74 class including just missing in a final last weekend. This looks like a spot where he could be firing out to the front, as could (4) SUNSHINE’S FINEST, who has been trying to rally with no success of late. The latter is good enough to win with a smooth trip. (10) BOLT THE COURT is probably up against it from post 10 but he did display a hint of late pace a week ago; use in exotics at big odds. (6) LINCOLN BOULEVARD proved he can win at this level given a smooth journey two starts back. I could see playing him at around 8-1. Race 8: Non-winners 2 races or $21,500 life/4YO who are TM 79.7 or less/Maidens draw inside - Pick 6 (1) TRAVOLTA HANOVER finished only fourth in his qualifier but I loved the effort. He was stuck in traffic and finished up the mile under a hold. This barn tends to send them out ready and this son of Muscle Hill looks the part. (8) DIPLOMACY faces mostly younger foes tonight. He went a nice even mile off the bench and figures to show more here, perhaps starting with early speed. (4) BRULEE turned in two decent qualifiers and stepped forward a bit in the second one. Race 9: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 1 Pace (7) I’LL HUNT YOU DOWN came a big final quarter from an impossible spot versus tougher foes last time. He picks up a top amateur pilot here and should bring a big effort. (6) SEIZE CONTROL was Yogi’s choice over the top pick and that isn’t surprising considering he’s won two straight behind this guy; contender. (5) BAILEYS ROCK N finally gets out of the 10-hole and could make some noise in this spot on his best. (10) BLOODHOUND tends to wake up in these amateur races and did last time; post hurts. Race 10: Winners over $12,500 in last 4 or $50,000 life/NW12500L4 or 9 races draw inside - $50K GTD Pick 4 (7) SIR PINOCCHIO couldn’t have looked much better in his qualifiers and I’d argue that his stride seemed longer and stronger with the hobbles removed last week. Now with three qualifiers under his belt this 4-year-old should be ready to roll. If he takes another step forward these guys have no shot. (1) CHAPERCRAZ really had no chance to move forward in his second start because the pace was simply too slow. He could offer some value here despite Gingras taking over the lines. (8) OUTSIDE THE FIRE should be the favorite given his current form. That said, I’ll probably play to beat him in this spot. Race 11: Non-winners $2,500 (NW L2 $3,000) in last 4/TM 77.5 (NW L2/L4/L8 78/78.5/78.75) or less (6) MADRID A is allowed to freefall three classes tonight and into this very soft spot. It’s almost impossible to pick against her at what should be 2-5 final odds. (10) IN THE SPOTLIGHT N takes a nice class drop of her own and if Beckwith can get her in play she’ll get a big piece, likely the back part of an $8 exacta. (2) GOING AWAY comes off a tough trip from an outside post; moves inside. (9) MONEYMAKESHERHAPPY lures Beckwith off #10 but I can’t back her off a race where she sat the entire way and the seas parted for her to come up the inside. Race 12: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2/L4/L6/L8 71.5/72/72.35/72.65) or less (6) FEARLESS FURY lost to a horse with a perfect trip last week. The road to the front has to be easier this time and hopefully his staying power will also improve in his second start back from a short break. (5) PACK YOUR BAGS was headstrong sitting the hole and just even late last time. I wonder if Borjas will put him on the engine this time. (2) OUR CORELLI N is clearly sharp and the inside post will help his chances. (4) THE OPENER deserves consideration on the class drop. (10) LOCKDOWN LOUIE N is also moving down a level on the Trackmaster scale and I would be shocked if he fired out. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 13: Trackmaster 74 (NW L2/L4/L8 74.5/75.05/75.3) or less/NW2 races in 2024-25/TM77 or less draw outside (6) DROP THE MIC just missed last time despite getting no pace help to set up his late rally. Dunn sticks around to drive again and I’ll follow suit. (8) YO LUCKY MONI bested many of these including the top pick when he got away with a 58 2/5 half. I fear the road to the front will be more difficult but still respect his chances. (3) HOOFBEATS DE VIE will certainly be leaving hard and should sit close to the front. The key will be whether he shakes free late. Race 14: Trackmaster 68 (NW L2/L4 68.5/69.15) or less (2) BRIGHTEN YOUR LIFE draws back inside this week. Notice her last chance from post four was in a fast mile for the class. I can see her scoring an upset here as others attract more money than they deserve. (3) JUST MY MAMA is one of those horses who will be overbet slightly on the driver change. She is sharp and can certainly win. (1) EA MUSHU has gone downhill since Beckwith left the team, but he’s back in the bike now and perhaps that makes the difference. (7) MACHING MILLIONS picks up Dunn; underlay.