FINAL FALL MEET STATS: 328-101-65-39 / $743.20 (+$87.20) BEST BETS: 25-10-3-3 / $32.20 (-$17.80) SPOT PLAYS: 25-8-4-4 / $44.80 (-$5.20) BEST BET: PRIMARY COLORS (4th) SPOT PLAY: HURRIKANE JONNYBOY (12th) Race 1: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73.10) or less - Pick 5 (1) SONO CONFUSO drops down to the level of his last win and retains Herschberger over my next two selections. (2) DIRT ON MY BOOTS and (6) SCOTT ON THE ROCKS are both exiting the amateur ranks and picking up decent catch-drivers that could get more from the tank. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: Non-winners $5,000 (NW L2 $5,500) in last 5 (6) TIP OF TIME displayed a bit of ability when here in December and facing perhaps a better overall group. Four-year-old returns with Lasix and seems to have landed in the right spot if the medication is the magic potion. (9) BB LUCKY BOY will turn a lot of people off after finishing way back in three straight starts. That said, he’s had 20 days to recuperate and even if he wins the class jump next time will be minimal. This guy has gone from zero to hero before. (5) KWICK SAND A exits similar company to the top pick and draws his best post in some time; threat. (1) FENDI HANOVER doesn’t excite me on the win end but he’s a capable sort given the right trip. Race 3: Trackmaster 77.5 (NW L2 79.55) or less - Survivor 7 (3) LOCHINVAR AUSSIE is not a horse I’m running to the windows to bet but I do think there is more in the tank than we’ve seen so far. In a field that barely qualifies as a TM77 in terms of current form and ability, I’ll take a shot that he brings a big mile. (5) LOUIS LITT N finally gets a good post to work with after starting on the outside of the gate week after week. He only won twice last year but could be the one to beat. (7) ENFORCER picked up a second in this class a week ago and should still offer fair odds. Race 4: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L2 $8,265) in last 5 (2) PRIMARY COLORS showed his class last weekend versus softer. That confidence building win can have him set to handle this double class jump. (5) HIRANYA N wasn’t going very far from post 10 last time. Mid-pack post tonight provides more options. (3) THONG CONTROL is another who has been post compromised in his last couple of starts. It’s been some time since he’s been on a big track but I think he might enjoy the switch. Race 5: $17,500-$20,000 Claiming Handicap (6) ACAPULCO SUNBURN switches barns and has missed a few weeks but you have to love his recent success and the pair of 1:52 and change Big M wins. (3) PETER PETRIFY N gets a rare inside post and like many in here he has form. Tactically he has the advantage. (8) DP REALORDEAL and (9) FOUR BY FOUR are both razor sharp but seem to lack early speed. If they can find a trip, either can be dangerous. Race 6: Trackmaster 83.5 (NW L2 85.5) or less - $50K GTD Pick 4 (6) BOBCAT BAY went an even mile when taken off the gate last time. He does his best work near the front and should change tactics and work out no worse than a pocket trip tonight. (3) BLAZE ON N wasn’t going to win while first over into a 58 half in a higher class. That he kept his act together was promising. Perhaps he can build on that mile. (7) FASTING has been climbing the ladder and getting faster every week in this new barn; dangerous again. (1) HARD TO CATCH keeps Herschberger over my top pick. Race 7: Trackmaster 86 (NW L2 88) or less (9) OVERTHINKING is perfect in three starts for Engblom as he has climbed the ladder successfully. This presents an even more difficult challenge for the 5-year-old but I’m not going to overthink whether he can accomplish the task. (8) STELLAR YANKEE is a proven commodity at this level if the trip works in his favor. (2) PINEAPPLE CRUNCH drops and has plenty of early speed. I don’t know if I trust him enough to accept a short price, but Beckwith did as he chose here over #9. Race 8: $25,000-$30,000 Claiming Handicap - Pick 6 (7) MAYHEM HANOVER drops in for a claiming tag for the first time in his career and I have to think he’ll be coming to play. (8) PERFECT PROMISES falls below the level of his recent claim by a small amount. He may’ve needed last week’s race to get down to big track speed. (10) CAVIART LOTUS sheds $10K from his claiming price and will certainly be a factor, especially if he can hustle away from the difficult post. (4) THE BIZZNESS N was Herschberger’s choice over my top two picks. Race 9: Trackmaster 90 (NW L2 92) or less (4) AMERICAN DEALER N gets some serious class and post relief this week and you have to think the near millionaire will have a big say in the outcome. (6) BOSTON BOUND comes into this off consecutive wins and while he changes barns, this outfit has started the meet well; adds Lasix. (1) IMTHEBLACKFLASH N sat a four hole, had to wait for traffic to clear up and finished very willingly last week. He’s a trip threat here. (7) AMMO was coming off a break the last time he competed at this level; certainly capable on the drop. Race 10: Non-winners $12,500 (NW L2 $14,000) in last 5 or 9 (NW L2 10) races life/TM 88 (NW L2 90) or less - $50K GTD Pick 4 (1) DONT DROP THE BALL takes a clear step up in company to face some seasoned older foes. While it took him some time to find his groove, I do think he might be this good now. (8) BETTORS DONTTELL has tons of form and the versatility to win from on or off the pace. Eight-year-old lucked into the race from the AE list and has a big shot. (6) BEACH CLUB MONTY is a 4-year-old that showed some ability at times but was also babied along. There is no real reason to do that anymore; qualifier says should be ready. (2) JACK’S SHADOW N is a classy old guy who has won four straight versus softer; his best is good enough. Race 11: Trackmaster 80.5 (NW L2 82.65) or less (1) POMPEO HANOVER is a horse that will benefit by the move inside after a number of starts from the far side of the gate. Leamon trainee just needs to sit close or brush early if the situation calls for it. (6) SAN JOSE is the one clear class-dropper in the field and he won versus this company two starts back; threat. (2) AVENGER FORCE is another getting a chance on the inside of the gate. He’s better than his last race indicates. Race 12: Non-winners $5,000 (NW L2 $5,500) in last 5 (3) HURRIKANE JONNYBOY went one wild trip last week considering he was 60-1. He’s one of a few getting a class drop tonight and hopefully the driver change will make all the difference. (2) STEELY KNIFE fits great in this class but doesn’t exactly win at a high rate. He should be put in play. (7) TRICKY MIKI A was a bit better with Lasix added last time. He has big early speed and is another moving down the class ladder. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 13: Trackmaster 74.5 (NW L2 76.5) or less (2) NATIONAL SPORT isn’t the smoothest going horse in the world but he tends to respond to class drops like this one and drew nicely as well. (10) GAITWAY PATRIOT returns here in good form and gets an interesting driver change to Herschberger. (1) AMERICAN MERCURY has early speed from the inside of the gate and should stay in play. (6) URBAN RENEWAL gets a catch-driver back in the bike. Race 14: Non-winners $2,500 (NW L2 $3,000) in last 5 (3) GANDALF THE BAY put in a credible effort upon arrival here and now takes a drop into the basement condition. (6) ALADDIN improved nicely in his second start for this barn. (7) CAVEMAN A plunged to this condition on Dec. 31 and failed at 2-5. Certainly he deserves a second chance at a better mutuel. (10) BE DAZZLED LOU A drops out of the same race as the top pick and wasn’t far behind him that night.