FINAL FALL MEET STATS: 328-101-65-39 / $743.20 (+$87.20) BEST BETS: 25-10-3-3 / $32.20 (-$17.80) SPOT PLAYS: 25-8-4-4 / $44.80 (-$5.20) BEST BET: FRAZIER HANOVER (11th) SPOT PLAY: DANCING LEW (6th) Race 1: Trackmaster 68 (NW L4 69) or less - Pick 5 Every horse in this field has missed at least three weeks and many have one win or less over the last year, so hard to get too excited about any wagering angles. (6) SELECT FRIDAY wasn’t racing that poorly when last seen in amateur races 30 days ago. Veteran pacer drops into a class where he had multiple wins last year. (9) MOONWARDS HANOVER has also missed more than four weeks. 14-year-old has big early speed and should be put in play, but tends to weaken in the late stages. (3) CARSON STAR CHOICE arrives for a new barn and may be worth Pick 5 inclusion. (10) FLYING TIGER certainly looks the best on paper, but how is he going to get into the race? [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: Non-winners 2 (NW L2 3) races or $20,000 (NW L2 $30,000) life/Maidens drawn inside (5) RIDER HANOVER was very competitive in a series here in December and just missed last time in a reasonably fast mile at Philly. He’s clearly the one to beat. (3) ONEFORTHEROAD GB seems ready to roll off his two qualifiers, the last of which he lost to a pretty nice Open horse. (4) IN THE MOONLIGHT just missed from post 10 last week and you know he’s going to get a big piece of at least the exotics. (9) LOU’SBODACIOUSBOY and (10) TOUCHBACK are both capable horses who are capable of showing good early speed. If either gets away in a good spot they can be part of the exotics as well. Race 3: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73.2) or less - Survivor 7 (8) MELISSA P won in this class from an outside post in late November and followed it up with a Philly win before she was exiled to far outside starting spots in her next two starts on that oval. This looks like the right time to find her early speed and be a part of the pace. (2) OURMOMENTNTIME only seems to trot when an Engblom is in the bike. If Beckwith learned something from her last start she can clearly win. (4) HUNTERS GAL has rallied for second in consecutive starts and is a late threat again. (9) PADRE moves into a new barn and is worth some exotic consideration at the right price. Race 4: Trackmaster 68 (NW L4 69) or less Some facts about this field: None of the horses have a win in their last five starts; none have started in the last three weeks; their combined 2025 record is six for 212. All of the previous to say that there isn’t much to go on in the way of winning angles. (5) ITS ROCKIN RANDY showed some improvement in his debut for this barn back on December 18 and perhaps he can carry that over to the New Year. Notice the final time of that race was quick and he kept up well. (2) SOMESURFSOMEWHERE is actually in decent form and is coming off his best race in some time. (6) STONE COLD SAVAGE owns half of the wins produced by this field in 2025. I can see him taking advantage if a couple to his outside fire out and stop late. Race 5: Winners 4-7 (NW L2 8) races or $100,000 life/NW $14,175 in last 5 (6) BENNY J came into his own at the end of 2025 and while this field has a number of sharp horses, he seems like the clear one to beat. (3) CLEAR FOR LANDING couldn’t get to the top pick most recently; chance to turn the tables but demand at least 3-1. (4) BOURBONISTA S hasn’t quite lived up to the early hype but perhaps adding Lasix today while give her the bump she needs. (7) DIPLOMACY is perfect in three starts since joining the Engblom barn. He’s won on the mile track before, so I wouldn’t put it past him again. Race 6: $10,000 Claiming - Pick 4 (5) DANCING LEW was bet down to 4-5 and got wiped out when the horse leaving to his inside had an equipment issue. That line could keep players from taking another stab with him and the price might drift up. (8) ARTIST BEST drops in for the lowest tag of his career. His recent form really hasn’t been that bad. (1) LYONS LIBERTY is good at sticking close and getting a piece of the exotics and this spot gives him that opportunity. Race 7: Trackmaster 77.5 (NW L2 79.6) or less (1) STORMONT HAPPY DAY started from an outside post and couldn’t quite get there upon arrival last weekend. Beckwith should have him closer to the kitchen this time around. (5) CRAIGIEBURN is back in an easier condition and more importantly perhaps in a barn that had success with him in the past; 31 days off of some concern. (4) PARODY has a win and a couple of thirds in his last three starts in this class. (3) MAGIC MELVIN is also sharp right now and was recently second in TM77. Race 8: $15,000 Claiming - Pick 6 (2) KILOWATT KID N flashed speed at the start and then challenged first over in a tough mile last weekend. The trip has to be easier this time around. (4) LYONS MUSIC never saw the pylons in the same mile as the top pick and rode that one’s cover to be third. He’s another that can move forward with a better journey. (10) TRIPLE SEVENS has missed some time but does drop in for a new low claiming tag this week. You have to think he’ll be showing some early speed off the gate. Race 9: Trackmaster 74.5 (NW L2 76.5) or less (4) SOEUR MARY hasn’t been to the track in 30 days but won her previous race after a 42-day absence. Note that Herschberger chose here over (3) IM THE MUSCLE, who he won with twice in his last four starts. The latter also has a tactical edge with early speed in a race that seems to lack it to some extent. (1) NORTHERN SKYWAY comes out of a pretty quick mile. He has the early speed to be close to the front and enough form to perhaps get the job done. Race 10: Winners 2-4 (NW L2 5) races or $50,000 (NW L2 $60,000) life - Pick 4 (2) BIG EGO rolled to a mini-series victory here in December and seems like the horse to beat once again. (3) FEDERER takes a serious drop in company this week after facing older in his most recent outing. Four-year-old could offer some value despite the softer competition. (6) PACK A PUNCH has speed and enough form to compete if he can finish out his miles. (1) BETTOR NOT couldn’t be any sharper and his last Meadowlands race was solid. Race 11: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73) or less (1) FRAZIER HANOVER just missed from post 10 last time out and really does land in a soft spot here from the inside. I’d expect him to either take charge immediately or make an early brush on his way to the winner’s circle. (3) CHEESE OMELET raced evenly from an outside post in his first start for this barn; another chance. (4) XMARXTHESPOT only made four starts in 2025 but his last one returning from a break was his best. Maybe he’s figured things out. (8) UNCLE TED was better with Lasix added; layoff a concern. Race 12: $7,500 Claiming (6) ITHACA HANOVER gets class and post relief this week as he drops in for a new low claiming tag. He wasn’t the most reliable sort with just three wins in 29 starts last year but also doesn’t tackle the best group. (3) THOR AND DR JONES arrives from Rosecroft by way of Monticello on a three race winning streak. Will he drop time in his first trip on a mile track? (5) CRUNCH THE NUMBERS has a similar profile to the top pick as he gets away from post time and drops in for a lower tag. He recently won for a $10K price at Philly. (8) QUEEN SUN RYSER had a tough trip in his first start for this barn. The return to The Meadowlands could produce better results with leading driver Beckwith in the bike. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 13: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73.2) or less (1) MASSTER BLUE is a veteran performer who will benefit from the inside draw. He can sit close here and perhaps get the smooth trip he needs to upset a mostly win-shy group. (7) VANGUARD was outsprinted in the late stages last time out. That fits with his career three for 59 career record. (5) CHASING CRYSTALS has been sharp but is another with just three career wins in 50 career starts. Race 14: Trackmaster 74.5 (NW L2 76.5) or less (4) FULL DISCLOSURE was second in this class two starts back when he had to work to make the top and set a fast pace. The road to the front should be smoother this time around. (9) LIKE A KING has a couple of qualifiers under his belt to prepare for this race and the horse that beat him last time is in NW12500. I get the feeling he’ll fit nicely. (8) BIG JACK HAMMER has raced very well in his last two starts and only needs a decent setup to have a win shot.