FALL MEET STATS: 41-18-6-7 / $116.60 (+$34.60) BEST BETS: 3-2-0-1 / $6.80 (+$.80) SPOT PLAYS: 3-2-0-1 / $17.40 (+$11.40) BEST BET: ONAJETPLANE (3rd) SPOT PLAY: CAPTAIN OPTIMISTIC (9th) Race 1: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73.70) or less - Pick 5 (4) SEVEN CURTSIES had bad cover and no chance at Vernon last time. She returns to The Big M at a reduced level and could certainly perk up. (6) HELPMEIMONFIRE flashed speed and tired in his debut for this barn. He returns five weeks later off a very nice qualifier where he kept pace with a pair of pacers. (8) BANK BOX TREASURE has hit the board in every recent start in this class. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: Non-winners 2 races or $22,800 life/Maidens draw inside (4) DARLIN’S ANGEL faced a much better group in the Kindergarten last time from the second tier. Considering it was her first lifetime start, you had to come away satisfied with the effort after she saw some traffic and finished mildly. (7) NAKED NOT AFRAID moved first over and took care of business at Philly last time to win her second straight start; main threat if she moves up on the big track. (2) PAPI’S CRUSH only finished a few lengths behind the top pick last time and is also tackling easier foes. Race 3: NJ Classic 3YO C&G Trot Elim - Survivor 7 (3) ONAJETPLANE won two straight here before finding two of the best trotters in the division to be too good for him. He’s back in New Jersey and should be sitting in great position after flashing early speed. (4) TOP GUN HANOVER was like a different horse last time as Takter made some changes that clearly worked. I can see taking a favorable view but he’ll need a career-best effort to win. (5) YANNICK G KEMP and (7) GO AHEAD MAKEMYDAY both add Lasix and either one could improve on that angle. Race 4: NJ Classic 2YO Filly Trot Elim (8) EMMAS MYSTERY CCL has won two straight and three of four starts lifetime. The post isn’t ideal but I expect she’ll push away from the gait to avoid a compromising situation. (2) SUGAR PACKET is clearly the one to beat after blowing away her competition off a perfect trip in the Peaceful Way. Notice that she lost to the top pick when they last met. (6) ISABELLA BI was rolling down the crown of the track a sure winner when she broke just as she got a neck up. Maybe an equipment change or even better timing will make the difference. Race 5: NJ Classic 3YO Filly Trot Elim (2) YO TILLIE has yet to taste defeat in six starts this year. While this is probably the toughest spot she’s been in, the post is perfect for her to wait for the dust to settle and brush. If this was the final I might try to beat her but I’m not expecting enough action tonight to predict such an outcome. (4) CHAMPAGNE PROBLEMS really stepped up her game with the trotting hobbles added last time at Pocono. If that was truly the answer she could be sitting on a big mile soon. (8) WALSPEA dominated easier in the NJSDF. The level of competition goes way up now but she’s proven her worth against the best. (6) DELANEY HANOVER was a solid second behind the top pick last time and she clearly rates as a major contender. That said, I can see a conservative approach coming tonight. Race 6: NJ Classic 3YO Filly Trot Elim - $50K GTD Pick 4 (2) SOUND JUDGEMENT has yet to pick up a win on the year but does seem to land in the right spot where she can wing it on the lead. She’s a worthwhile flyer play at a nice price. (5) CONVERSANO comes off what has to be considered a somewhat disappointing effort at Pocono and you have to wonder whether the connections will push hard off the gate here when she can race conservatively and easily make the final. (3) XALAPA picked up a nice measured win in her qualifying debut for Takter. If the new trainer has her figured out she can definitely contend. Race 7: $117,500 Girl Power 4-6YO Mare Trot (2) WARRAWEE MICHELLE comes off the fastest mile ever by a 4-year-old on a five-eighths track. I can definitely see Svanstedt gunning her out this week and looking to control it or at worst sit the pocket. (1) M-M’S DREAM turned things around in a big way on Hambo Day. The four weeks off probably help her more than hurt; threat. (4) DATE NIGHT HANOVER came up huge at The Red Mile last time. Mare has always had the talent to be any kind of horse but doesn’t always show up. (6) ELISTA HANOVER has also missed four weeks. She’s got a chance but I suspect she’ll get an off the pace journey that might come up short. Race 8: NJ Classic 3YO C&G Trot Elim - Pick 6 (6) THE ROGUE PRINCE burned plenty of money at 1-9 when he was raced conservatively at Pocono and got caught behind a slow pace. Despite a 55 2/5 final half he couldn’t quite get there. You have to be slightly concerned that he’ll be a victim of the pace again, but my spidey senses say he’ll be close enough this time. (4) MOUNTCASTLE pulled off an upset to score his lone career win over this track. His last race was his best in a while and I wouldn’t be shocked if he came up big tonight. (7) DON’T ASK FOR MORE is a big unknown at this point having missed a year of action. Notice that he was second behind the Hambletonian winner and the solid Onajetplane last year. Race 9: NJ Classic 3YO C&G Pace Prep (4) CAPTAIN OPTIMISTIC wasn’t best suited for Pocono and the post didn’t quite help him either. He’s back on the big track now and should be put into play. (1) MANOLETE does his best work when he can sit and pounce. That should be very possible with the inside draw. (8) PAPIS PISTOL and (9) SMOOTH DREAM are capable horses at their best and either could fire off the gate. Race 10: NJ Classic 2YO Filly Pace Prep - $50K GTD Pick 4 (2) CAR KEYS hasn’t really had the right setup to get the job done in her two career starts. Dunn jumps in the bike tonight and perhaps that will be the difference maker. (3) NAPALM is a capable horse when on her game; very dangerous. (6) PERFECT THOUGHT got away with soft fractions and cruised in her last try. She’s got a shot here but isn’t worth favoritism. Race 11: NJ Classic 2YO Filly Trot Elim (4) SOUTHWIND CHASKA made two moves, faced heavy pressure and battled nicely in defeat when last seen four weeks ago. She deserved the time off and while she might not be fully cranked, looks best of this group unless one of the others takes a step forward. (2) DIAMOND BAY didn’t exactly have a smooth trip last weekend and the result was still a decent performance. With only two starts under her belt there is room for improvement. (1) LIPSTICK has the early speed to stay close and has proven herself to be good at chasing for big checks. (9) DAYS AWAY is back at The Meadowlands where she raced huge to be fifth back on August 2 in the NJSS Final. If she works out any trip she’ll be heard from. Race 12: NJ Classic 2YO C&G Trot Elim (4) APEX was a game winner when last here beating eventual Wellwood Memorial winner Ardonne. Royally bred son of Walner and Mission Brief really hasn’t thrown in a bad mile yet and figures to be put in play to avoid trouble from other potential breakers. (2) DIABOLIC HILL was last seen four weeks ago when third in that same NJSS Final won by the top pick. He’s clearly good enough to win if ready to fire his best. (8) CAPTAIN JORDAN has turned things around with hobbles added. Can he pick up speed on the big track? [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 13: NJ Classic 2YO C&G Trot Elim (6) RAMBO HANOVER rated and rolled down the road last time against a softer group. He’s kept company with these before while performing decently and none of these have proven enough to accept a short price. I’ll take a shot with him. (5) MEGA SHARK was never in play and didn’t fire home in the NJSS Final four weeks ago. Perhaps the time off will have him fresh for a bigger mile. His prior efforts were all good, though Todd McCarthy did opt off for #3. (2) MAGA HILL tired badly after an aggressive drive in that same NJSS Final. His best miles have come off a smooth trip and if he gets that watch out. That said, the price will be very short for a horse that may need the right trip. (8) NIX NACKEN has ability but can’t seem to put it all together. Race 14: Trackmaster 68 (NW L2 70) or less (5) JUST MY MAMA and (3) HOLD MY TIARA are both dropping back to the TM68 level where they scored their last victories. Either could and should win but neither is overly reliable. (1) SHIAN DELIGHT was racing well in this class before the break last time. There could be value here, though she’s never won in a time faster than 1:56 2/5. (9) WIGGLING JENNA would need a great trip to win but can hit the ticket at a price.