WINTER MEET STATS: 239-55-39-32 / $396.60 (-$81.40) BEST BETS: 17-7-3-1 / $26.00 (-$8.00) SPOT PLAYS: 16-6-3-4 / $54.00 (+$22.00) BEST BET: SNEAKY SQUEAKY (6th) SPOT PLAY: JUMPIN’ JACK DEO (2nd) Race 1: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73) or less - Pick 5 (4) WARRAWEE XCEED was close to a quick opening quarter and then got backed out of the race by the horse in front of him. I’m willing to give him another shot at a nice price. (6) ALWAYS A WAY has been racing pretty well of late and now we get Dunn in the bike. He’ll probably be overbet but it’s as good of an angle as any. (2) A LITTLE KICK is off a win and while he technically steps up in company, this field is a borderline TM68/71 in reality. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: Maiden (5) JUMPIN’ JACK DEO was in a tough spot and trapped until the stretch before pacing home very willingly in his career debut. It is worth noting that he dropped six seconds off his last qualifier and more can be expected now that he’s down to speed. (6) BALLROOM AFFAIR certainly looked good qualifying back; big threat. (1) OBLITERATE finished just ahead of the top pick in their debut. He’s another that could step up in start two. Race 3: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 2 Pace - Pick 8 (4) SMOOCH IN THE DARK is very sharp and I can certainly see Hernandez firing out this week as the field seems to lack an abundance of early zip; narrow edge in a good field. (1) I DREAM OF JEANIE owns a 1:52 1/5 win over the track this year. Last time she was completely blocked with no opportunity to stretch her legs. (6) DUNSAN HARRY was in too tough last time but this amateur crew is more in his comfort zone. Race 4: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L2 $8,250) in last 5 This is a difficult race to handicap with horses coming back from Pocono and lots of driver changes. Let’s try class-dropper (6) T H TYSON, who could get a decent pace to close into and will certainly offer fair value on the tote board. (8) AVANTI is a bit of a mystery in terms of tactics as he switches conditions. His best is more than good enough to win. (3) LITE N SWEET certainly has the speed to get involved but he hasn’t been lasting the mile over at Pocono. Maybe the new driver will bring better luck. Race 5: Trackmaster 80.5 (NW L2 82.75) or less (5) LOUIS LITT N has been blazing the way on the engine and last time he took on intense pressure to boot. Finally out of an amateur race and hooking up with a new driver, maybe the crazy speed will be replaced by controlled speed and a smoother trip. (7) LINDY THE BRAVE was a winner when last seen in this class a few starts back. (1) SADDLE UP looks to be coming off some subpar qualifiers at first glance but notice he dropped almost five seconds and was stuck chasing in a 1:50 3/5 mile last time. This barn also sent out a winner off the bench from two starts at the meet. (8) GOODBYE STRANGER closed well in his return from a couple of months on the sidelines. Maybe he’s ready to flourish as a 4-year-old. Race 6: Non-winners 2 (NW L2 3) races or $30,000 life - $50K GTD Pick 4 (4) SNEAKY SQUEAKY drew off for a 1:50 4/5 victory in his first start since August. Seems like he gets two more free rides in this class before he wins his way out. (3) MONTANA GB takes a sizable drop in class this week. He should be able to threaten the top one on his best. (1) TWIST OF LEMON was sneaky good in his last qualifier as he showed marked improvement over his first outing. I’m not sure he is good enough to beat the top one but there is more in the tank. Race 7: Trackmaster 83.5 (NW L2 85.6) or less (6) STOP THE SHOOTIN’ was steady when asked for his best last Saturday and I don’t think you could’ve expected much more given he hadn’t raced in five weeks. He’s not a high percentage horse but one that can be competitive here at a price. (2) BEAT COP is another that doesn’t typically get bet heavily, though adding Dunn to the team could change that. His last start in this class was a win. (3) BB LUCKY BOY is always a threat to go all the way on the engine if left alone. (4) GOLD GLOVE HANOVER didn’t seem loaded to me last week and I’m sure he’ll be overbet on the “trouble” line. Race 8: $40,000-$60,000 Claiming Handicap - Pick 6 (9) ROCKIN JUKEBOX hasn’t raced in a few weeks and I’m guessing that may have to do with the proper class failing to fill. With that theory, he drops in for a tag for the first time in 1.5 years to compete. I have to think Bongiorno will have this $600K earner ready to roll. (4) SOHO SANTORINI A and (6) STELLAR YANKEE are two capable entrants who have won in this class recently. Either is viable at 4-1 or higher. (7) BETTORS DONTTELL faded after being used hard last time and just missed in the class previously; contender. Race 9: Non-winners $5,000 (NW L2 $6,000) in last 5 (4) MAMBA drops out of the upper-level claimers where the competition is plenty salty. Some of his recent races are good and the switch into conditioned races should be just what the doctor ordered to help him perk up at what should be a fair price. (9) JILLIBY DYNAMITE A was impeded and lost any chance immediately but did pace home willingly. Class drop tonight adds to the appeal. (1) DONT DROP THE BALL seems to be right there in this class every week. While he faces tougher tonight, he can still save ground and get a nice chunk. Race 10: $20,000-$25,000 Claiming Handicap - $50K GTD Pick 4 (7) LOVERS TROUBLE and (6) GALLIE GETAWAY look like the speed of the race and should come out sitting first and second. In this abbreviated field the above pair should have a distinct advantage. (2) ROCKME ROLLME has been a hot commodity at the claiming box and goes out for new connections again tonight. Veteran campaigner has a chance with the right trip. Race 11: Trackmaster 74.5 (NW L2 76.5) or less (6) RILKOFF has dealt with some bad luck in terms of trip and circumstance lately. He lands in a great spot this week and there are no excuses. (4) ROCK JAGGER moves to the middle of the gate now and he’s proven competitive in the class. (8) HALF PAST MIDNIGHT is a very sharp horse picking up a top catch driver. (9) BIG JACK HAMMER exits claimers for this third-level TM race. If he can fire out and make the front, a win isn’t out of the question. Race 12: Non-winners $10,500 (NW L2 $12,500) in last 5 or 8 (NW L2 9) races life/TM 86 (NW L2 90) or less (6) MAJOR HOTHOOVES N surprised me when he fired off the gate in his U.S. debut and while the effort wasn’t powerful, it was a very useful mile to get him ready to win. There should be improvement in start two and the price should be appealing. (2) SINBAD N came to play last time after some sketchy-looking lines. Seven-year-old has proven capable of going big miles and a repeat is not out of the question. (4) DA DELIGHTFUL could be leaving hard from the word go and if he lines up in the pocket or on the lead his win chances increase. (1) HURRIKANE CHEYENNE and (5) DANCE PARTNER are up in class but sharp enough to compete. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 13: Non-winners $2,500 (NW L2 $3,000) in last 5 (1) SPRINGSTEEN gets a class drop like many in this field. Some may be concerned about the time missed. Not me. I see it as an opportunity to improve my price. (6) HIRANYA N has been in the wrong spots since coming here. I’m willing to give him one more chance before likely cutting ties. (8) BOBCAT BAY tends to do well when the competition gets easier, though this isn’t a soft NW2500. The early speed is there to make the front. Race 14: Trackmaster 68 (NW L4 69) or less (9) SERGEANT WALT has proven himself with a win and a second in this class over his last three starts. The outside post isn’t ideal but he does own some early speed and maybe it helps the price. (2) TAHUYA SILK lands in a great spot to take charge without having to work very hard. (5) BOLT THE COURT was a 1:55 3/5 winner in the TM68 class a couple of starts back. (3) CAPTAIN CARTER has missed some time but is certainly competitive in this condition if right.