FALL MEET STATS: 213-67-35-32 / $452.60 (+$26.60) BEST BETS: 16-5-3-2 / $14.40 (-$17.60) SPOT PLAYS: 16-6-2-3 / $34.20 (+$2.20) BEST BET: STELLAR YANKEE (12th) SPOT PLAY: ODDS ON WILDFIRE (7th) Race 1: Trackmaster 68 (NW L2 70.3) or less - Pick 5 (1) MEET THE CREEPER has enough early speed to stick close from the cones, especially against this group which seems to lack a ton of zip off the gate. Eight-year-old isn’t overly reliable but he does drop in company. (5) BIG JACK HAMMER adds Lasix and while that could make an impact, he is still just 1 for 62 lifetime. (4) WHIMSICAL JOURNEY comes down from Vernon in fine form and adds Beckwith to the team. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: Trackmaster 74.5 (NW L2 76.5) or less (1) AMERICA’S GUEST came here sharp as can be and rallied impressively from the back to get second. He should be a bit closer to the action now and have every chance to roll by late. (5) PARKLANE TERROR is another sharp horse and one that also comes off a placing, at this level. He’s dangerous with any kind of a trip. (3) FREDNECK gets out of claimers and that means he finally lands a decent post. Notice his last start from the left side of the gate resulted in a win. However, that was the only win at the meet for this barn in 44 starts. (9) SONO CONFUSO can fire off the gate and if he doesn’t have to work hard, could make some noise. Race 3: NJSDF 2YO Filly Trot Final - Survivor 7 (2) CUSTOM is now perfect in two starts since moving into the Engblom barn. This gal was absolutely super as she pulled away with ease last time and I have a hard time going against her now. (4) WISHUPONASTAR DEO was the chalk who finished second behind the top pick in leg one of this series. She’ll need to pick up her game if she is going to turn the tables. (1) MADAM CHEVAL is back in with the kind that she is more comfortable. Her best would make her a threat. Race 4: Non-winners $5,000 (NW L2 $5,500) in last 5 (5) BOBCAT BAY was used hard, four deep into the first turn and three wide midway around that bend in a 26 3/5 first quarter. It is no surprise that he came up empty late. New driver tonight and a softer bunch work in his favor. (6) T H TYSON came home ok but so did everyone else and that resulted in what was a somewhat flat finish. He can improve on that mile. (4) WARRAWEE TOTAL has his work cut out for him moving up in class but it’s not like he isn’t capable of a faster mile. Race 5: NJSDF 2YO C&G Trot Final (4) WHO’S EYES BLUES chased a slow pace and did all he could but couldn’t get there in time. The pace setup will be quicker this week. (3) AMERICAN POWER is back in his comfort zone where he was a solid 1:55 winner two starts back. (7) LINDY LIVING stole the race on the lead last weekend. He’s a threat but a horse I’ll probably fade. (2) TRILLION TIMES raced well two starts back before tossing in a break last week; rebounds? Race 6: Non-winners 2 (NW L2 3) races or $20,000 (NW L2 $41,875) life/2YO, Maidens draw inside - $50K GTD Pick 4 (9) DON’T DROP THE BALL takes a significant drop in class from W2-5 to NW2 and notice that last time he lost to the Governor’s Cup winner Gentleman’s Club. There are no excuses for failure. (4) LASER SPEED was sharp at Yonkers before getting scratched-sick last time. You have to like that he has a win over the Red Mile surface. Move this guy up if the barn does well on Thursday and Friday. (3) TWIN B FRESH BET raced well for new connections but will need to be faster this week if he wants to compete on the win end. Race 7: Trackmaster 88 or less/NW 5 races life or $6,000 in last 5 (6) ODDS ON WILDFIRE makes his second career start on a mile track and the last time he lost by a neck in 1:49 1/5. Three-year-old likes to win he could offer some value in this spot. (2) SABA ROCK dominated upon arrival in start one for this barn. He steps up a notch but should prove tough again. (7) CAPTAIN CRUSADER A can fire home but he’ll need a fast pace and a live flow against some nice-looking foes. Race 8: Trackmaster 83.5 (NW L2 85.78) or less - Pick 6 (4) SEASIDEESCAPE was used to the top well past the quarter and only lost to a fresh foe from off the hot pace in his last start. A slightly easier opening quarter should produce a win. (3) SPINDOCTOR HANOVER has been stuck with outside posts of late on a smaller oval. Stablemate to the top pick certainly is in with a chance. (8) CAPTAIN BAZINGA steps down the class ladder; threat. (6) TRUMPSTER BLUES is sharp but may be in a bit too tough to get more than a lower exotics slot. Race 9: NJSDF 2YO Filly Pace Final (2) SHE STINGS improved some in her second start for this barn. She was driven into traffic last week and probably would’ve done better with a smoother stretch drive. The price will be right to take a shot with a filly I think has a faster mile in her tank. (8) WHOA BLACK BETTY goes for fourth straight and is clearly the one to beat off an impressive finish last time. (6) CAR KEYS has early speed and talent but can’t seem to get over the top for a win. (7) LADYSASSIN paced past my top pick late to finish fourth in her first try since early September. If they mix it up she’ll be coming late. Race 10: Trackmaster 77.5 (NW L2/2L4 79.55/79.98) or less - $50K GTD Pick 4 (6) ROCKIN THE ACES was facing much better last time out and now he drops back down to the level of his last win two starts back. Classy 8-year-old should come to play. (8) LIKE A SHADOW dropped and popped last time. His form has been super for some time and his efforts at TM77 have been very good. (9) WHAMMER JAMMER exits the amateur races as one of the sharpest horses in the series. He can take tons of air and will be coming late if the pace gets to quick. (2) KNOCKIN OUT gets post and class relief this week. He could be a sneaky player here with the right trip. Race 11: Non-winners $7,000 (NW L2/L5 $8,250/$8,850) in last 5 There is plenty of early speed signed on here and it should set up nicely for a horse that can be patient early and pounce. (1) AVANTI comes in from Hoosier and seems to fit nicely in this class. Russo barn should have him ready to roll. (3) DEUCE HANOVER was a good second in TM86 two starts back and yet I can see him getting lost in the wagering this week. (9) PINEAPPLE CRUNCH flashed early speed and got the job done two starts back in this class; dangerous again if the road to the front isn’t riddled with obstacles. (5) STEELY KNIFE bottomed out the field last time. This group is tougher. Race 12: Non-winners $2,500 (NW L2 $3,000) in last 5 (8) STELLAR YANKEE was used hard to make the front and still held on for third while up in class a week ago. He drops into the condition basement tonight and anything less than a win would be very disappointing. (4) LOUIS LITT N and (2) MOSES are both exiting the amateur ranks and adding catch drivers. I much prefer the former but both deserve some consideration. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 13: $7,500 Claiming (4) THE WILL TO PLAY was used hard in the first half of the mile last time and paid the price. A smoother trip should produce much better results. (9) LYONS LIBERTY scored at first asking off the claim and the only negative tonight is the outside post. (1) ALWAYS A WAY moves into a new barn that was perfect in two starts here last weekend, including scoring with a horse making his first start for the stable. Race 14: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73) or less (5) JONAH just missed last week with the trainer in the bike and now picks up the leading driver at the track since the meet started after Hambletonian Day. (1) CAMCO LUCAS ships down from Canada and joins a new barn. He’s missed four weeks of racing but could be any kind at this point having never raced on a big track. (3) BIG BAD BILL goes for four straight and did beat the top pick last time. (6) SPORTY BOB and (8) OUR CORELLI N are both proven commodities as far as hitting the board in this class.