MEET STATS: 140-46-28-19 / $298.30 (+$18.30) BEST BETS: 10-5-1-2 / $20.60 (+$.60) SPOT PLAYS: 10-2-2-0 / $15.20 (-$4.80) BEST BET: RAU RU (6th) SPOT PLAY: WISE THINKING (9th) Race 1: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 1 Pace - Pick 5 I don’t often pick Bruno Chiodo on top because he rarely leaves hard off the gate, but when I do he’s is driving a horse moving down in class in a field with plenty of early speed to set him up. That’s the scenario today for (5) MEET THE CREEPER. (6) ROCKABILLY CHARM returns to the amateur ranks with an upgrade at driver. (3) JUST A ROCKET MAN was pushed hard to very fast fractions and still held nicely last time. He can definitely play with these. (4) BRAZEN BRAZILIAN was short as expected after missing almost two months; ready now? [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: Trackmaster 72 (NW L2/2L4 72.5/73.10) or less/Opt. $7,500 Clm. - Survivor 7 (1) THATSWHATISAID N was second best behind an easy winner last time that went off at 4-5. He drops back in for a cheap tag here and should perform well. (4) ROSE RUN URIAH tried to show speed but the pace was too quick last week. He’ll try again here and should fit in nicely with this group. (2) LINCOLN BOULEVARD picks up Stratton this week after a long run in the amateur ranks. (6) GAZOO is capable of stepping up when the pace scenario works out. Race 3: Non-winners $4,000 (NW L2 $4,670) in last 4/TM 80.5 or less (7) HURRIKANE LADY LOU comes to town with the uncertainty as to whether she’ll like or drop speed on the big track, but the form is certainly there if she takes to it. (5) PATTYCAKE MOOSS has been facing tougher competition. I suspect she’ll awaken here. (1) UPTOWN LADY N is certainly capable in this spot, but she is far from reliable on the win end. Race 4: Trackmaster 74.5 (NW L2/2L4 75/75.50) or less - Pick 6 (6) T DOG was facing some really good competition in those amateur races and he gets some post relief here as well. (2) BIG BAD BILL comes off a big mile and he’s the clear one to beat if he can repeat it at short odds. (4) SUNSHINE’S FINEST is another sharp amateur horse worthy of consideration. Race 5: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club Trot for TM 78 or less (2) BEACON BEACH has a long string of starts from outside posts on smaller tracks. Four-year-old picks up Yogi here and seems likely to be put in play. (1) IM THE MUSCLE lacks any form and hasn’t won in quite some time but does get a barn change. I wouldn’t be surprised if this guy, who made $97K last year, woke up. (9) ZLATAN has three straight strong starts to his credit. His chances depend on whether he can get away in good order from the outside without getting roughed up. Race 6: Trackmaster 80 (NW L2/2L4 80.5/81) or less/Starters TM 83 or less in last 5 - $50K GTD Pick 4 (4) RAU RU has done his best work near the lead but hasn’t been able to get close to that spot lately. Tonight he draws inside and should work out a pocket journey at worst. (6) TOTO HANOVER is running a three-race winning streak. He gets a new driver here but should keep his form. (2) AIR GUITAR has rallied for second nicely in consecutive starts behind a horse that couldn’t lose; threat with clear sailing. Race 7: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 1 Pace I spent more time on this race than any before it and I still don’t have a clear vision on how it will unfold. Ultimately I’ll try (6) BAILEYS ROCK N, who has been racing pretty well and goes for a driver who probably has more confidence after picking up his first win over the surface last weekend. (3) BIONIC gets an inside post this time and will be firing to the front; big threat. (7) YER SO BAD won last time with a good pace setup. I wouldn’t take a short price on him here. Race 8: $10,000-$15,000 Claiming Handicap - Pick 5 (6) APERTIF bested many of these rather easily last time and the trainer change won’t change that fact. He’s 100% the one to beat and catch. (4) ROCK JAGGER gets post relief as he exits the amateur ranks. (5) CONCUR was second behind the top pick last time and certainly merits a look versus this field. Race 9: Trackmaster 83.25 (NW L2/2L4/L8 84/84.68/84.92) or less (2) WISE THINKING came first-over into a fired-up horse that scorched the pace and never looked back last weekend. There is no such horse in here and I expect this 4-year-old will perform very well. (10) BET A BUNDLE is certainly in the right class and he has the early speed to overcome the outside post at a nice price. (5) BOBCAT BAY picked up some much needed confidence last time. Can he build on it? Race 10: Trackmaster 86.5 (4YO 87.75) or less/NW $9,655 in last 4 - $50K GTD Pick 4 (2) STONEBRIDGE REEF has been keeping company with Voukefalas and Oakwood Ardan of late, so this is a welcome spot. This field didn’t come up soft but he should do very well. (3) CONGRESSIONAL and (8) STORM THE COURT both come in from Pocono where they have been racing very well. (4) PINEBUSHDRAGONROLL is as sharp as they come having reeled off three straight since changing barns. Can he handle the class rise? Race 11: Trackmaster 72.5 Final (4) PHELGON blew many of these away last time despite a less than perfect trip. She draws inside her main competition and should be followed. (9) QUEEN SUN RYSER did all she could last time after chasing a somewhat slow pace. The outside post hurts to some extent but could help her off odds. (8) HERS HUNGRY keeps turning in good efforts and doesn’t mind taking some air on the rim. (6) FLAMBOYANCE got loose on the lead and picked up the win last time. She’s a threat here but the price will be lower than I will accept. Race 12: Trackmaster 77 (NW L2/2L4/2L8 77.5/78/78.80) or less/NW $400 p.s. in 2024 with 6+ starts (4) VANDALISM has been razor sharp versus softer competition. While he jumps up two classes, this group didn’t exactly fill up with a field of killers. (3) NATIONAL SPORT just missed in this class last time; obvious contender. (1) SEE YOU FRIDAY has been chasing in some fast miles and should find these more in his comfort zone in terms of speed. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 13: Non-winners $3,000 in last 4/TM 77 (NW L2/2L4 77.5/78) or less (1) THE AMERICAN EAGLE double drops to the level of his last win and picks up a catch-driver. (7) SIR JESSE got caught in a big 1:51 3/5 mile last time, so there was no shame in losing by 13-plus lengths. (5) EXCHEQUER and (6) FASHION KEN are both getting barn and driver changes. Race 14: Trackmaster 69 (14YO 70.90) or less/NW 1 race in 2024 with 16-plus starts (3) BILBO HANOVER drops to the Trackmaster basement and may just perk up versus a very win-shy field. (1) VICIOUS BLUE CHIP has missed a bit of time upon arrival from Northfield but he does get a barn change and is at least eligible to improve on the big track. (4) CHIP WALTHER will take plenty of action picking up Stratton here; capable.