CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 28-12-3-4 / $55.40 (-$.60) BEST BETS: 2-2-0-0 / $14.60 (+$10.60) SPOT PLAYS: 2-1-1-0 / $4.80 (+$.80) BEST BET: SOMBODYITREASURE (6th) SPOT PLAY: MAKING HISTORY (12th) Race 1: Winners 2-4 (NW L2 or 3YO 5) races life - Pick 5 (4) T H TYSON takes what looks like a subtle drop in class but is actually pretty substantial. Ryder just needs to work out the right trip. (7) PINEAPPLE CRUNCH is the speed of the race on paper and he shows a couple of decent lines in Pennsylvania. How will he do in his big track debut? (3) KAPTAIN KARLOS is a must on the bottom of the exotics but hard to love on top with a 64-4-18-13 career record. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L2 $8,330) in last 4 or starters NW $6,400 or less last start (4) SOUTH BEACH STAR took another tour of the track at the back in his second start returning from winter recess. He takes a substantial step down the condition ladder here and you have to think he’ll show early speed. My only caution, for those that subscribe to condition manipulation, is that a loss would drop him to the basement condition and allow him to win his way back up the ladder. (3) BRUTALLYHANDSOME A is back at The Meadowlands in a class where he’s had plenty of success. (1) DANCE PARTNER has been second in his last two appearances in this class. Race 3: Non-winners $2,500 (NW L2 $3,000) in last 4 - Survivor 7 (3) DEUCE HANOVER was used a bit early in the mile and had a hint of pace left on the end of a very fast mile for the class last time. He deserves the edge here, though I warn that the barn only has one win in 35 starts at the meet and lately their horses have been taking tote action. (4) HAGGARD comes out of the same race as the top choice and he did much of the heavy lifting in that 53 4/5 half. The trip has to be easier tonight. (5) LUKE MCGOOK was a winner when last seen here in a similar class. Race 4: Non-winners $5,000 (NW L2 $5,500) in last 4 (1) JOEMIKIYOURSOFINE absolutely bottomed out a weaker field last week and while those same tactics probably won’t work against this crew, he has the talent and class to handle the jump in company. (2) HANDLELIKEAPORSCHE will likely be heading to the front as usual and the smaller field almost ensures an easy trip. (7) STONEBRIDGE REEF showed some early speed and then wound up first-over last time. I’d probably try for the front this week if I was in the bike. Race 5: Trackmaster 74.5 (NW L2 76.67) or less/Opt. $12,500 Clm. (7) SOMIKI has some awful lines on his card and a six-plus week gap to go along with them. That said, he gets key driver/trainer changes and has put up some good miles here in the past. (9) SELECT FRIDAY is far and away the sharpest horse in the race. The big question is can he leave for position and have something left on the end of the mile. (3) DUNSAN HARRY has been facing better foes in the amateur ranks and we are getting a nice driver upgrade here; threat. Race 6: Trackmaster 74.5 (NW L2 76.67) or less/Opt. $12,500 Clm. - $50K GTD Pick 4 (2) SOMBODYITREASURE surprised me a bit by being even better last week than the start prior. While he moves up the claiming ladder one rung here, anything close to the performance from last week gets him an easy win. (6) SAULSBROOK RAPTOR would have a big shot if he fired off the gate in this spot. If not his chances diminish but aren’t eliminated; new driver tonight! (5) VILLAGE BLUE CHIP comes to town from Saratoga for a barn that is having a good meet. Race 7: Winners 4-7 (NW L2 or 3YO 8) races or $105,000 life/TM 82 or less (4) TARANAKI has posted three straight 1:50 miles and he has certainly come into his own. I’ll take a shot with him in a competitive field with the expectation of a decent price. (7) REMEMBER THE ALAMO rated soft fractions and got the job done with a final quarter sprint last time. He’ll probably be forced to go a little faster this week but certainly could be up to the task. (1) ITS SATURDAY NIGHT was in a bit too tough last time. He’s a clear player tonight. Race 8: Winners over $12,500 Handicap - Pick 6 There are many ways you can go in this field which shapes up as a nice prep for the Cutler Memorial next weekend. I’m going to let the toteboard guide me a bit before wagering because I don’t want too short of a price on any horse. That said, top billing has to go to (4) AETOS KRONOS S on the expectation that he’ll push away for position inside the other early speed and the knowledge that he’s likely still improving as he gets his legs under him on these shores. (6) SIR PINOCCHIO was scratched sick with a slight fever according to trainer Ed Hart and recovered very quickly with a good week leading up to this race. I wouldn’t be afraid to use him on top if others are scared off. (9) ANTOGNONI S demolished his competition at Yonkers and was good here earlier in the year. He still needs to answer the question: Is he a top Open trotter? I’d take a shot with him at 4-1 or higher but don’t want to risk picking him at shorter odds until he proves it. (7) LEXUS KODY gets a new pilot this week and I wouldn’t be shocked if he reeled off a 1:50 winning mile. Race 9: Trackmaster 80.5 (NW L2 82.5) or less/NW this class last start (4) LYONS LIBERTY was raced conservatively in his first start for the new barn and finished well. He’s a very sharp horse that can succeed on or off the pace and will offer value in a wide-open contest. (8) FENDI HANOVER is possibly in even better form than the top choice. The outside post isn’t ideal but he can overcome a less than ideal trip. (6) SAULSBROOK HERO returns here and he’s has plenty of success in this and similar classes. (2) VANDALISM goes for three straight this week. Adding Dunn likely means he’ll be an underlay. Race 10: NJ Sire Stakes 3YO C&G Pace - $50K GTD Pick 4 (1) EXPEDITED SERVICE chased (5) MANOLETE last week from the pocket and only lost by a length. That was just his second start of the year and first with the Miller barn. Let’s take a positive view that improvement is coming since he won’t be the favorite. The latter had everything his own was and got outsprinted last time. Luckily he gets away from perhaps the two best in the division tonight. (7) TOM HORN flashed good early speed and passed a horse late last time in the much faster division of the series. I’ll be using him at least underneath. Race 11: NJ Sire Stakes 3YO Filly Pace (1) WORKLIFEBALANCE is the type of horse that needs a smooth trip so she can unleash her late burst to get the win. The move to an inside post will help her sit close enough to the pace. (3) RECKLESS ABANDON improved in her second start but was outsprinted for the win. I’ll give her another shot on my Pick 4 ticket. (2) BEACH BABE was certainly game in victory last week but isn’t a horse I want at a short price. Race 12: NJ Sire Stakes 3YO C&G Pace (6) MAKING HISTORY is probably going to come away last here and while that might be a problem in some instances, the short field and likelihood that heavy favorite (3) SMOOTH DREAM will also race from off the pace might set him up with a great cover trip. We saw his 25 4/5 closing speed last time and I’m betting on the expectation that the 1:52 1/5 speed we saw last week isn’t nearly his bottom. The latter is undefeated on the year and clearly the one to beat. (2) TWIN FURY has been racing very well but seems to be a couple of steps behind the top ones. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 13: Trackmaster 77.5 (NW L2 79.74) or less (3) LOVETHEWAYYOULIE took a ton of money on the driver change last time and while the gelding raced ok, he hardly delivered on the public confidence. Now that Tetrick has a start behind him and with the class drop this week, I’d expect we’ll see him closer early in the mile. (5) BARBOSSA HANOVER and (6) IMINURBLINDSPOT are the clear early speed players on paper and both are coming off wins versus slightly lesser; contenders. (2) HOUND ON THE BEACH exits the same race as the top pick and finished ahead of him that night. Race 14: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73) or less There aren’t many (if any) in this field that inspire confidence. (3) THREE IN HEAVEN A picks up Bartlett and I’m hoping he wings it on the engine and takes advantage of the mostly sluggish group. (2) FEARLESS FURY also seems likely to be forwardly placed in this spot. His try two starts back probably wins this race. (8) LOCKDOWN LOUIE N gets a new driver and moves in a few slots on the gate.