2024 MEET STATS: 0-0 / $0.00 BEST BET: YAYAS HOT SPOT N (6th) SPOT PLAY: IGNATIUS A (5th) Race 1: MADC - TM Rating 77 Trot (2) MAGIC MELVIN is a 3YO with just 16 career starts facing a field of veterans but he arrives off a blowout score up at Tioga and seems more than fast enough to compete here. (3) HUNTERS GAL was stuck too far back from the ten hole last week but closed mildly for a check. She's been a consistent sort all season who will benefit from the post relief. (10) BUZZ goes for three straight and he'll be chugging towards the front. If he can clear the lead without being too roughed up he can win again. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: TM Rating 71 or less as of 9/3 Pace (8) ROCKABILLY CHARM lands another less-than-ideal post but this veteran has flashed good early speed in recent Meadowlands tries and seems like he can make the front from this spot. (9) KISSINBYTHEBEACHES missed a neck at odds-on two back with a catch-driver aboard after spending most of his time in the amateurs; he's another who will be forwardly placed and should offer value with the driver switch. (7) BUILD THE WALL is a 3YO with just four lifetime starts but has three wins. Last week's qualifier looks legit. Race 3: Mares NW7500 in last 4 starts AE: NW12500 in last 4 Pace (7) TALK CURDY TO ME has been holding her own out of town facing high-conditioned stock (including some stakes foes) and the Cullipher trainee returns to the big track well-spotted to get it done. (4) BLOOD MOON A is a stablemate to the top choice and the import will be gaining late. (8) EASY TO PLEASE has been a Yonkers regular for a few years now and she's in the midst of a good bounce-back season for Stratton. Lack of speed and post obviously hurt but she does fit well with these. Race 4: MADC 1 Pace (6) GOLDEN GESTURE woke up in a big way in his last two up at Monticello and the veteran picks up Yogi Sheridan, one of the more accomplished and successful amateurs; top call. (10) SEEUINNASHVILLE A was a tiring third last week with Joe Lee in the bike in his Big M return and he's got the early speed to get involved from the ten hole. (1) CAPTAIN TERMINATOR was just 'okay' upon arrival from Philly but a similar effort puts him in the mix. Race 5: NW5000 in last 4 starts AE: TM80.5 or less Pace (1) IGNATIUS A doesn't seem to win as often as he should but the Noel Daley trainee is always in the mix; drop in class can get him over the top. (5) HE'S HALF NAKED showed good improvement in his first start with Lasix added; good midpack post gives him tactical options. (8) DANCE PARTNER steps up off a strong win and that's two of three; lightly-raced gelding can land a piece here. Race 6: MADC 1 Pace (10) YAYAS HOT SPOT N has been a perfect fit in these amateur classes and the 14YO is still talented enough to overcome the widest post; Yogi Sheridan sticks with him as expected going for two straight. (5) ITS SHOWTIME closed crisply in his return to the big track and lands a good midpack post. (9) FERDINAND A has been a fixture in these events and leaves the gate every start; different driver tonight but the tactics should be the same. Race 7: F&M TM Rating 77 or less as of 9/3 Pace (6) FUN WITH FLAGS is one of a few fillies in here and she gets to face mostly similar after last week's blowout score. (2) DARLIN'S DREAM was favored over the top choice in that last race but could only muster a third-place finish after chasing a long way; should be in line for a better trip with the move inside. (1) BLANK CHECK has a win over this surface and picks up Bartlett. Race 8: NW3000 in last 4 starts Pace (5) PASSA-GRILLE BEACH has been around seemingly forever though he's just nine; gelding returns to the Big M and missed a nose in an amateur event when last here. Ahle picks up the drive tonight from a perfect midpack post. (7) GOOD INVESTMENT was used hard last week and held for a piece. That was an improved effort over prior races and he could take another step forward here. (9) SPRINGSTEEN has always been talented but also an erratic type. $800K earner drops for Tritton and deserves consideration. Race 9: NW7500 in last 4 starts Pace (7) OUTLAW MAN N is a fresh face from Down-Under making his debut for the Blackler barn and he's got his favorite driver in Bartlett with the lines. Qualifier was willing. (1) CAPTAIN CRUSADER A finished with pace against better but could not seriously threaten. Cullipher trainee looms large from this spot. (9) GIRLDAD ships in from Pocono for Burke, who clearly knows how to classify them. Corey Callahan gets the call. Race 10: Winners over $10,000 in last 4 starts or $50,000 lifetime Pace (9) RUTHLESS HANOVER had some anxious moments in that invite at Pocono on Sun Stakes day but prevailed, and facing easier foes here the speedster is supposed to get it done, despite a bit of missed time. (8) SEVEN COLORS has not threatened in any recent stakes engagement but he hasn't been bad; expect him to put it together soon. (6) CHIMICHURRI N shipped over from Yonkers last week and was a well-rated winner for Bartlett and Tritton; import is clearly capable of repeating. Race 11: TM Rating 77 Pace (8) RAPTORS FLIGHT N hadn't hit the board in five starts prior to last week's easy win, where he was odds-on facing a softer field. Veteran keeps Bartlett and gets the call on the "sharp horse moving up" angle. (7) BAILEYS ROCK N has done little lately but gets a new pilot and may be kept closer to the action tonight. (6) PADUKA N looks to complete the back class veteran Down-Under trifecta; gets Ahle instead of recent amateur pilots. Race 12: F&M TM Racing 72.5 Pace (2) AMERICAN SILKS is a lightly-raced filly but she ran well for second in her Big M return and faces no standouts on the moderate bump in class. (7) YOU BEDA ROCK has been solid in her last two at Freehold and the Ginsburg trained/driven mare looks like she fits well here. (3) EA MUSHU figures to be in the top flight of horses here and can land a share. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 13: F&M NW5000 in last 4 starts Pace (3) TWIST LITTLE GIRL N takes a needed drop in class and was Callahan's choice over a sharp horse who he had been driving regularly. (2) PAIGE PERFECT is that rival who steps up off a willing finish and now gets Stratton in the bike. (6) PARISIAN BLUE CHIP returns from Yonkers and has a 1:50 3/5 mark here from earlier this season. Race 14: NW3000 in last 4 starts Trot Mixed bag of trotters to end the festivities. (2) HOBBS was well rated on the front end last week but retreated late to fourth; Cory Stratton trainee moves inside and may be better suited sitting a stalking trip. I'll give this $500K earner another try. (5) MR KNOWITALL has been a non-factor in recent Pocono races but maybe the change in scenery helps wake him up. (3) I'LL OWE YOU ONE had decent speed at both ends coming out of the same race as #2 and he's been third in his last couple of Meadowlands races.