WINTER MEET STATS: 267-67-44-34 / $449.40 (-$84.60) BEST BETS: 19-8-3-1 / $28.60 (-$9.40) SPOT PLAYS: 18-6-4-4 / $54.00 (+$18.00) BEST BET: SEASIDEESCAPE (8th) SPOT PLAY: GOOD ROCKIN (13th) Race 1: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73) or less - Pick 5 None of these really inspire me to run to the windows, so take that into account when considering these selections and your Pick 5 tickets. (5) SERGEANT WALT has been great at TM68 and just ok above that level. That said, none of these jump off the page as great TM71 performers. (2) TRY LINE posted credible effort in both of his recent TM71 tries but is 1 for his last 43. (1) LYLEGROUND won his last start at this level but is far from reliable at 2 for his last 46. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 2 Handicap Pace (4) BET A BUNDLE took a big shot at the leader last week and still battled late to get a nice check. Seven-year-old seems ready to win given a cleaner trip. (7) DUNSAN HARRY was used to the front and wound up a good second behind #10 last time; clear threat again. (5) HUNGRYHUNGRY HIPPO won his last appearance in this amateur class. (10) SMOOCH IN THE DARK was super last time. Can he possibly overcome post 10? Race 3: Trackmaster 80.5 (NW 2L4 82.75) or less - Pick 8 with Carryover (1) MARLBANK ROAD has been saddled with outside posts which have basically sapped any chance he’s had to be involved in recent races. He’s back on the inside now and only needs a clean trip to have a big shot versus a field without a standout. (9) LOUIS LITT N put in a nice effort with new tactics for Tritton. The outside post could force her hand into showing early speed this week. (4) INVICTUS was sharp in his return from vacation; more now? Race 4: Non-winners $5,000 (NW L2 $5,500) in last 5 (1) STONEBRIDGE REEF lured Bartlett off three other horses. This classy 8-year-old returns to The Big M at a reduced level and should have every opportunity to perk back up. (6) COMPENSATE ME hasn’t been aggressively handled since the barn change and this looks like the right spot to take that shot. (2) EUPHORIA N has been stuck with outside posts at Yonkers. Veteran campaigner adds Gingras and might be an interesting value play. Race 5: Trackmaster 83.5 (NW L2 85.6) or less (9) BEAT COP was overbet and came up just short last week in this class. The price should rise significantly now and I’m jumping on board. (4) BB LUCKY BOY has big speed and could easily wire this field if he’s feeling good. (5) NAMASTE HANOVER raced very well off the bench when you consider that there was a clear speed bias last Saturday. Four-year-old can definitely be ready for more now. Race 6: $20,000-$25,000 Claiming Handicap - $50K GTD Pick 4 (7) ART OF REVENGE doesn’t appear to be the soundest horse in the world but he did get through his qualifier without trouble and seemed comfortable in the late stages. Dropping in for a much cheaper tag I have to think Burke will have him as ready as possible for a big effort (or he’ll be scratched and you’ll get a refund). (4) ROCKME ROLLME is seemingly the horse to beat but is unlikely to get as clean of a trip this time around. (6) GALLIE GETAWAY will be gunning to the top and almost certainly get at least an exotics slot. (10) LOVERS TROUBLE certainly has a shot if Bongiorno can work some magic from the outside post. Race 7: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L2 $8,250) in last 5 (5) MAJOR HOTHOOVES N took a nice step forward in his second stateside start and he still figures to offer decent value in this spot with (4) FUNTIME BAYAMA in the group. The latter was raced from behind as expected in his first try since November. That he’s right back in the box is a good sign. He’s a clear threat to step up. (9) COMBUSTION hails from a barn that tends to send them out ready so maybe that means he’ll fire out. There is class here. Race 8: Non-winners $10,500 (NW L2 $12,500) in last 5 or 8 (NW L2 9) races life/TM 86.22 (NW L2 90) or less - Pick 6 (2) SEASIDEESCAPE was a nice winner here in early March and can’t be faulted for his effort at Yonkers last time. The 1:49 2/5 mile at Scioto tells you there could be even more in the tank. (6) EFFINGHAM had no shot from post nine but could get a smoother trip this week at nice odds. (1) RYDINGTOTHEWIRE can play with these when on his game. Race 9: $40,000-$60,000 Claiming Handicap (6) BETTORS DONTTELL was used in consecutive starts and then took a week off last time, racing from behind on a track where that trip was impossible. He drops his claiming price by $5K here to move inside on the gate and should be firing a big mile. (7) TYPHOON BANNER N posted a pair of wins and a third in this condition during March. He’ll be a player and much will be decided by how hard it is for him to gain early position. (4) WATER SPORTS TEEN certainly looks good on paper off a pair of wins. He did take advantage of the situation last week so I would demand 4-1 or higher if you believe in a threepeat. Race 10: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L2 $8,300) in last 5 or 5 races life/TM 83.5 or less/Opt. $22,500 Clm. - $50K GTD Pick 4 (6) LAVA FIELD certainly needed the start after nine months on the sidelines. A class drop isn’t coming anytime soon since he was on a winning streak last year before packing it in, so there is no reason to go the conservative route again tonight. Let’s see what he has in the tank after a solid foundation of two qualifiers and a pari-mutuel start. (8) NOVEL finished full of trot last time at 41-1. He’s not the fastest horse in the field but enough of these have breaking trouble to think he could be a player at a price. (7) GREEN PASTURES was handled with care and he delivered a big mile last week. He’s a big threat to repeat but one that I wouldn’t want at near odds-on status. (2) MAXIMUM EXPOSURE is red hot right now; another player, though I’ll probably fade him. (3) CALL OPTION is another horse who could win or break; demand value. Race 11: Non-winners $2,500 (NW L2 $3,000) in last 5 (7) JILLIBY DYNAMITE A has been finishing for small pieces lately and maybe the drop to the bottom condition will make the difference; price play. (1) BET ON MAC returns here and also gets some class relief. He could certainly be flashing some speed from the pylons tonight. (5) DONTBOTHERMENONE N was certainly better last weekend. Perhaps he’s about to turn the corner. (3) VANDALISM moves into a good barn and is certainly capable of awakening. Race 12: Trackmaster 74.5 (NW L2 76.5) or less (2) TRICKY CAPTAIN N put it all together in start three for this barn and now they reach out to Dunn to drive as the gelding exits the amateur ranks. This guy looks like a solid investment if you can get around 6-5. (8) ARTIST BEST is part of the driver change trend in this race in terms of my top picks. The last time he had a regular catch driver the results were good and tonight he adds Zeron. (1) LOU ON THE BEACH has speed, form and a nice driver switch of his own. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 13: $10,000 Claiming (10) GOOD ROCKIN is shedding $5K from his claiming price and the connections are basically accepting a loss if he gets claimed. He had a tough trip in his first start off the claim and had no shot last time. I have to think he’ll be firing off the gate here. (3) REAL WILLEY came to play with a sharp mile in his second try for these connections; dangerous again. (1) LYONS LIBERTY has been claimed four straight times and now bumps up in company for some protection. Sharp 9-year-old certainly has a shot. (7) PALOMAR is certainly capable but will likely need some pace help. Race 14: Trackmaster 68 (NW L4 69) or less (8) A LITTLE KICK is the sharpest horse in the race and he hooks back up with Bongiorno, who drove him to victory in this class two starts back. (2) TAHUYA SILK has also been racing well and just might be the favorite here, but I question whether he can get over the top on this circuit. (5) SHORE OF HIMSELF and (6) THE BIG RAGOO both drop to the Trackmaster basement and either can step up on their best day. (3) CAPTAIN CARTER took a step in the right direction last time and actually starts without missing time due to sickness.