WINTER MEET STATS: 98-18-17-15 / $93.60 (-$102.40) BEST BETS: 7-2-2-1 / $7.00 (-$7.00) SPOT PLAYS: 7-1-1-2 / $4.20 (-$9.80) BEST BET: LEAVE AND ROLL (15th) SPOT PLAY: NORTHERN ATTITUDE (3rd) Race 1: Trackmaster 68 (NW L4 69) or less - Pick 5 (7) TAKARA STING qualified well when second behind #10. Just age 3 and coming back from a few months off where he may’ve matured and grown, there could be more to this guy than his 0-for-7 record indicates. (3) TAHUYA SILK hasn’t been seen in a month but comes to town from Century with good form and early speed. He’s certainly work inspection in the post parade. (10) ALWAYS ON PAR was super in his qualifier as he won in-hand over a snow-covered track. His only other appearance here came against much better in a 1:51 1/5 mile and he deserves a chance to shine at what could be an inflated price from this outside post. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: Winners 1-4 (NW L2 5) races or $50,400 (NW L2 $60,000) life (7) PACK A PUNCH was last seen in this condition two starts back and he took care of business at 1-2 on the tote board. Sharp 4-year-old may not be a lock but he sticks out on paper. (5) BIG EGO was super here in a series with slightly softer competition and then was flat last time. Perhaps the four weeks off will produce a fresher horse this week. (10) FEDERER has to overcome post 10 but he’s certainly capable. Maybe that outside post provides us with a nice value play. Race 3: Maiden/NW 2 races or $15,720 life draw outside - $50K SEEDED Pick 8 (4) NORTHERN ATTITUDE turned in an excellent second qualifier as he waited early and charged home willingly with no shot to be second in a pretty quick mile. Three-year-old debuts in a perfect spot and should have every chance to win at first asking. (6) BEST OF HUNGRY was purchased for $17,000 last Monday and makes his pari-mutuel debut for a new barn. Beckwith joining the team is a nice plus. (10) MONTANA GB is another newcomer as he arrives from Great Britain. The qualifier didn’t show me enough to love him but I wouldn’t be shocked if he raced well. Race 4: Trackmaster 80.5 (NW L2 82.75) or less (3) GOLD GLOVE HANOVER took a nice shot in his first start since early November and wound up third. He can build off that mile versus a field without a standout. (1) SAN JOSE has plenty of early speed and should be able to come away in good order. Don’t hold the scary line from last time against him. (6) LOUIS LITT N has been excellent at saving ground and pouncing; needs the right trip. Race 5: $15,000 Claiming (2) GRANITE was racing very well in Pennsylvania when last seen and he just may’ve landed in the perfect $15K claimer against a field without that much form. The inside post gives him options on tactical positioning. (6) ORDER ONE TO GO gets an interesting barn change. The qualifiers weren’t great but this guy has some ability and might just show it off. (1) HURRIKANE CHEYENNE stopped badly and usually when it happens that is just an anomaly. His prior form was fine and includes a decent fourth here in this class from an outside post. (7) LAST BEACH moves into a new barn tonight and keeps Kelly over #1. Race 6: Trackmaster 86 (NW L2 88.1) or less - $50K GTD Pick 4 (5) COMPENSATE ME was sitting pretty in the pocket last time until the leader started to tire and room didn’t immediately develop. This isn’t an easy spot but one where he can definitely contend at fair odds. (6) DONTBOTHERMENONE N keeps bumping up the class ladder and performing at the top of his game. He should be in position to succeed again with his big early speed. (2) DON’T DROP THE BALL adds Lasix. If that cures his issues, watch out! (3) BEAT COP has won two straight and handled a class jump along the way. This guy could be interesting here if able to find a quick tuck or make the top. Race 7: $25,000-$30,000 Claiming Handicap (1) BIG BANG BANG finally gets a break with an inside post position and you can be sure he’ll be firing out. In a field that doesn’t seem to be loaded with early zip, he should work out a clean trip. (10) BETTING ON CAESAR was parked past the quarter before finding a seat, faced plenty of stretch traffic and finished very willingly late last time. The post isn’t ideal but he’s more than capable. (7) HESA KINGSLAYER N drops back down on the claiming ladder and certainly figures to make his presence felt at some point in the mile. (3) PROSPECTORS GOLD was even in his first start after two months on the sidelines. If he moves forward off that mile a win is well within reach. (6) GREATEST ENDING has some class and lands in a new barn that has done well here. Race 8: Trackmaster 90.5 or less/NW $17,500 in last 5 or since 5/1/25 - Pick 6 (8) FOR ONCE INMY LIFE got a nice steady mile under his belt after a qualifier and should be ready to roll now. That Stratton comes over the bridge to drive is a very positive sign and I expect he’ll be leaving the gate with some urgency. (10) DA DELIGHTFUL has early speed and is razor sharp. In a race that seems to lack a ton of gate speed, he’s a clear threat. (9) CAPTAIN CRUSADER A was on a great roll before taking a few weeks off during January. I see no reason why he won’t remain very sharp but I worry what position he may come away. Race 9: $40,000-$60,000 Claiming Handicap (5) SUN OF A SHOW has big speed, form and is as honest as they come. He should be firing off the gate tonight and will likely be sitting the pocket behind Effingham. (1) SOHO SANTORINI A should offer good value in this spot despite having some trouble in his last race. He sat the four hole and got shut off to the inside route before angling and finding traffic. Import was moving as well as anyone late in the mile. (7) MAMBA looks for four straight wins and scored after missing 42 days last time. He’ll need to work out the right trip from off the pace. (9) EFFINGHAM loves to fly off the gate and from time to time he simply doesn’t stop. Race 10: Trackmaster 83.5 (NW L2 85.6) or less - $50K GTD Pick 4 (6) TAHUYA DEVIL came to the East Coast in June and impressed but then was sent to the sidelines after a scratched-lame line in early July. Two qualifiers should have him ready if he’s capable of dropping time on the switch to the big track. (4) PRIMARY COLORS couldn’t wire the field last week but that’s acceptable since only two horses accomplished the feat on that Jan. 24 card. He’s clearly the early speed of this race and is very capable with Beckwith keeping the drive over my top pick. (5) MYULTIMATEBAXTER N hasn’t gotten the smoothest trips. I can see him getting a good piece of the exotics with a clean journey. Race 11: $17,500-$20,000 Claiming Handicap (2) SKYWAY BALLISTIC wasn’t ready for primetime last time after taking four weeks off. Tonight he lands in a softer spot and gets a new driver; early speed coming! (7) PETER PETRIFY N enters a new barn and perhaps they get a bit more out of him. This looks like a prime spot to sprint off the gate. (5) ACAPULCO SUNBURN won in this class last time and certainly has a repeat chance (1) SHADOW CAT has looked good since switching barns; speed and form. Race 12: Trackmaster 77.5 (NW L2 79.55) or less (6) RILKOFF took all the money, went way too fast and almost went to his knees after being passed. He’s facing a somewhat suspect field here and I’m inclined to give him one more chance. (5) GABE HANOVER has the early zip to make the front and he catches a field that for the most part is probably better suited for TM74. (10) NATIONAL SPORT has enough form and early speed to make some noise if the trip works out. Race 13: Trackmaster 74.5 (NW L2 76.5) or less (8) LOU ON THE BEACH certainly picked up some confidence with an easy win last time. Six-year-old gets a key driver change here and should be firing out again. (5) OLLIE’S ZTAM has the early speed to make the top and should sit a decent trip. (6) MIKI LEAKS was involved in a heated battle for the lead last time and really does have some excuses for his failures here. Don’t count him out despite some unappealing lines. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 14: Non-winners $5,000 (NW L2 $5,500) in last 5/Starters NW $2,500 or less last start (6) BUILD THE WALL can’t seem to buy a trip lately. Last time he was forced wide on the backstretch and had to come uncovered on a night when you didn’t want to be near the lead. Only five horses that were first or second at the three quarter call won. That is compared to an average of 9.66 winners from those positions the previous three cards. (5) BLAZE ON N hasn’t been racing poorly and could move up with the addition of Lasix tonight. (2) WATTSUP SUNSHINE A gets clear class relief this week and deserves some consideration. Race 15: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73.10) or less (5) LEAVE AND ROLL is on quite a roll and perfectly drawn in the middle of the gate. My money says he guns out tonight and takes charge. (4) XMARXTHESPOT has been closing well for big pieces and any kind of smooth journey should provide him an opportunity to do it again. (2) ROCKABILLY CHARM is probably better in TM68 but there is probably a pretty good chance he’s going to head to the front and hanging on for a big piece is very possible.