WINTER MEET STATS: 70-13-14-10 / $73.60 (-$66.40) BEST BETS: 5-1-2-1 / $3.40 (-$6.60) SPOT PLAYS: 5-1-0-2 / $4.20 (-$5.80) BEST BET: BUILD THE WALL (5th) SPOT PLAY: WASA HEAT SEEKER N (11th) The forecast is for temperatures approaching the single digits and wind chills inching towards zero so it will be interesting to see what effect that has on the racing. As I write this the forecast for Sunday is 12” to 16” of snow, so I wouldn’t expect that card to occur. Race 1: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73.10) or less - Pick 5 (6) HALF PAST MIDNIGHT finally seems to be coming into his own here as a 4-year-old. As long as we can get 5-2 or higher again, I’m on board. (8) SELECT FRIDAY looks like he should be heading for the front off the gate and if he doesn’t face too much resistance a win is very possible. (1) DIRT ON MY BOOTS had no chance last time from the outside post; prior form was fine. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: Trackmaster 74.5 (NW L2 76.5) or less (6) BLUE COLLAR MAN rolled down the road in his last try in this class and looking at the horses to the inside I think an early speed attempt is likely again. (2) SONO CONFUSO comes off a nice win and he’s another that should be put in play early in the mile. (5) LOVERS TROUBLE returned from a long time on the sidelines and made a break; never a good sign. Perhaps the switch to the big track will help the cause on a horse that is more than fast enough to win. Race 3: Trackmaster 80.5 (NW L2 82.65) or less - Survivor 7 (3) IT’S MAHOMES A rallied very nicely for second last time despite having missed five weeks of action. Seven-year-old moves inside here and seems highly likely to be hustled to the front. (1) GALLIE GETAWAY has speed and pylons position. He should be sitting in a good spot but hasn’t exactly been great at sealing the deal of late. (2) GOLD GLOVE HANOVER hasn’t been out since November but you have to like that he has a pair of qualifiers under his belt. His best makes him a contender but I can see those wanting to take a conservative approach. Race 4: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L2 $8,250) in last 5/NW $9,000 L5 or 8 races drawn outside (3) RHYDS DUDE GB qualified very nicely with strong final quarters while digging in when needed. This barn tends to do well with fresh horses and I’m willing to give this guy a go in his U.S. debut. (6) NUCLEAR had late life of his own with a 26 3/5 final quarter in his return qualifier. His best destroys these but he’s never been the most reliable horse. (1) CAPTAIN BAZINGA has enough early speed to protect the inside post. He can certainly win with a strong mile. Race 5: Non-winners $5,000 (NW L2 $5,500) in last 5 or starters in NW $2,500 or less L/S (3) BUILD THE WALL went a big mile to be second last week and that was even having missed four weeks of action. He moves on the inside of the gate tonight and should have a big shot. (7) STORM THE COURT drops a notch on the condition ladder and will certainly be rolling off the gate towards the lead; win threat. (1) DISMAS was used hard last time and paid the price. He can be a threat with a smooth journey. (9) STEELY KNIFE adds Lasix. Perhaps that will help him finish his miles. Race 6: Trackmaster 83.5 (NW L2 85.5) or less - $50K GTD Pick 4 (2) MYULTIMATEBAXTER N chased some pedestrian fractions and even a 26 4/5 final quarter couldn’t help him gain much ground. Veteran lands in a good post to work out the trip he wants. (9) PRIMARY COLORS rated on the read and that led to him getting outsprinted late. From the outside post we’ll likely see him get aired out a bit. (3) BEAT COP comes off a big mile. Can he keep the good times rolling for the new barn? Race 7: $25,000-$30,000 Claiming Handicap (6) CAPTAIN UP could be an interesting play moving into a new barn. Notice he won here in 1:50 1/5 last year so this higher claiming condition is in his wheelhouse. (9) BIG BANG BANG stopped last time after being used early. Maybe the three weeks off didn’t agree with him. We all know he can fly off the gate and going a long way is very possible. (5) CAVIART CAMDEN circled the field last time. He’ll need another good setup or clean trip, which is possible from the mid-pack post. Race 8: $40,000-$60,000 Claiming Handicap - Pick 6 (10) BOSTON BOUND was insanely bet down to 1-5 and things just didn’t go according to plan as he had too much company leaving the gate and wound up parked the mile. He dropped his claiming price a bit in hopes of getting a better post and still remains outside. That said, maybe that will mean more patient handling in a field with tons of early speed that should create a live outer flow. (6) SUN OF A SHOW will certainly make the front and seems likely to be sitting second or third after the early dust settles. That trip paid off last time. (7) MAMBA was on a roll in December and now hasn’t been seen in 42 days. If ready, watch out! (8) EFFINGHAM did the heavy lifting and came up short to #6 last time; threat again. Race 9: Trackmaster 86 (NW L2 88) or less (1) DON’T DROP THE BALL has been racing well versus slightly better foes than he tackles tonight. Inside post should allow him to make an early move or sit back and try for cover. (3) PINEAPPLE CRUNCH moved to this level last week and picked up a third. I view this version of the race as potentially easier. (8) MOMAS SON BYRNE never got a chance to shine after an early break last weekend. If he paces a win is within reach. (5) CAVIART LOTUS is likely racing from behind here. He’s sharp and should be coming for a big piece. Race 10: $17,500-$20,000 Claiming Handicap - $50K GTD Pick 4 (8) ROCKME ROLLME went some speedy fractions while doing all the work on the front last week only to lose to a horse that sat last and swept the field. Beckwith joins the team tonight and while I wouldn’t accept 3-5, he’s the clear one to beat. (2) ACAPULCO SUNBURN didn’t finish far behind the top pick last week, though he sat his pocket and couldn’t pass with dead aim. (6) TWIN B RISENSHINE was used up in the early part of the race and had nothing left late on Saturday. Perhaps we’ll see different tactics here. (3) MELTDOWN MONTE went a tough trip in his last appearance in the claiming ranks here; worth consideration. Race 11: Trackmaster 80.5 (NW L2 82.65) or less (5) WASA HEAT SEEKER N made a nice move to the front in his first start for this barn after four weeks off. Logic would state he can be even sharper now. (4) SPIRIT OF STLOUIS N missed even more time prior to his last start when he drew outside. The class drop here is nice but he hasn’t been the most reliable horse. (6) STOP THE SHOOTIN’ finished less than a length behind the top pick last time. If you can get a much better price here I couldn’t blame you for taking a stab. (2) GOOD ROCKIN was claimed back by connections that had some success with him and now they do some protecting by taking him out of a claimer. Race 12: Trackmaster 77.5 (NW L2 79.55) or less (3) SEEYOU AT THEBEACH tracked a good pace and got the job done in amateur action last weekend. I can see him getting lost a bit in the wagering with people more focused on (2) NATIONAL SPORT, who dominated one day later but only went one-fifth faster. Both are contenders in what seems like a weaker TM77 in terms of form. (9) SHADOW CAT battled back nicely to be second in his return qualifier and it seems the time off did him some good. Veteran has early speed and could put it on display here. (1) FIZZING N was second in this condition last time; using underneath. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 13: Non-winners $2,500 (NW L2 $3,025) in last 5 (9) HURRIKANE JONNYBOY takes a substantial drop in class for the second straight start after getting buried upon arrival from Monticello. His form doesn’t look like much but I’d expect an awakening tonight. (6) ROCKIN THE ACES is also getting major class relief. This guy isn’t what he once was but is very capable of winning in this condition. (5) SPORTY M THREE wasn’t that bad in his first start for the new barn. He moves in a few slots on the gate and should improve. Race 14: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73.10) or less (10) BIONIC gets a key driver change to Ahle this week. Often the difference between a trainer in the bike and a catch driver is getting that little bit extra out of a horse in the stretch. This horse should be helped by the new addition. (1) UNCLE TED took plenty of air in his last start and tired as expected. Making his second start back after five weeks away, I’d take a shot that he improves. (6) THNDRFRMTHETHRON N also returned from 35 days away. He came away empty in that start against better foes; drops. (3) CAPTAIN CARTER comes off a nice mile in this class and lands a better post here.