WINTER MEET STATS: 0-0-0-0 / $0.00 ($0.00) BEST BETS: 0-0-0-0 / $0.00 ($0.00) SPOT PLAYS: 0-0-0-0 / $0.00 ($0.00) BEST BET: MONEY MATTERS (8th) SPOT PLAY: LYONS SURFING (4th) Race 1: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 1 Pace - Pick 5 (1) URBAN RENEWAL raced evenly at the back last time in his first start in four weeks. Some improvement should be expected and the inside draw will keep him close enough to make an impact. (4) MOVE THE LINE rallied well upon arrival but I’d be leery of a short price considering his inability to win (5 for 114 lifetime). (9) MY WISH CAME TRUE reunites with Beltrami who sent this guy down the road four starts back in the amateur ranks. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: Trackmaster 71.5 (NW L2/2L4 72/72.5) or less (7) LINDYS LOLITA has done some very good work out of town but lacked a stretch kick when seen here on 12/13. Big driver change to Miller here and a class drop could make the difference. (2) I AM THE FIRE and (1) GOING AWAY both raced very well in their last starts in this condition. [DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Meadowlands card at DRF Bets.com!] Race 3: Trackmaster 74.5 (NW L2/2L4 75/75.5) or less - Survivor 7 (10) WOODROW F CALL was raced with purpose in his first start since August and only lost to a ground saving favorite up the cones. The outside draw tonight isn’t ideal but he has the early speed to overcome. (5) SIX FEET APART has been racing well in the amateur ranks out of town and looks like a potential fit here picking up a catch driver. (2) BLOODHOUND is in fine form as he exits MADC competition. I give him a big shot, especially with Silva calling on Boyd to drive; short price likely. (7) ROCKIN STANDO gets an interesting barn change but hasn’t raced in 25 days. Race 4: Non-winners $2,000 (NW L2 $2,300) in last 4 (9) LYONS SURFING doesn’t look like much on paper unless you notice the trainer change back to Bongiorno and recall that the last time he was in this barn the result was a 1:51 1/5 gate to wire win from post eight at Yonkers. And before you worry about the four week break in action, note that that big Yonkers win came after missing more than five weeks. (5) DANCING LEW failed to fire in his first start for Chris Height. That said, past history says he can go with this group. (4) MASK ON MASK OFF gets class and post relief this week. He could be on the move early. Race 5: Winners 2-4 (NW L2 5) races or $50,000 (NW L2 $60,000) life (8) WINTER SOLDIER tracked a well meant even money favorite last time and just missed when taking aim very late. As long as he minds his manners he’ll prove tough to beat in this spot. (7) TARPON SPRINGS S is perfect in two starts at Philly since coming to these shores. If he likes the big track, watch out! (10) FINITE has early speed and form; dangerous despite the post. Race 6: Non-winners $5,000 in last 4 or $1,500 p.s. in 2024/TM 80.5 (NW L2/2L4 81/81.5) or less - $50K GTD Pick 4 (10) SEVEN SINS raced well in his return from a rather long break in action and he should be sharper with that start in hand. Also notice the class drop and addition of the red-hot Bartlett to the team. (4) TOM SWIFTY also gets some class relief that should help the cause. (3) MAHONE SEELSTER has been getting smaller checks versus better; seems like a fit. Race 7: $10,000 Claiming (2) APERTIF qualified well while all out late in the mile. Most importantly he didn’t show any signs of lameness following the scratch line back in June. Five-year-old is plenty fast and should improve off that mile. (10) LADYFORD DOLLAR GB scored at first asking for new connections and should be able to handle the slight bump up in claiming price; Ginsburg chose #2. (4) FRANCO TOTEM N looked very good two starts back and below average last time; best is good enough. Race 8: Non-winners $3,000 (NW L2 $3,471) in last 4 or $1,250 p.s. in 2024/TM 77.5 (NW L2/2L4 78/78.5) or less - Pick 6 (1) MONEY MATTERS returns to the Richard Johnson barn and this guy has won his last three starts over this track for him, including two starts in this condition. (4) RICH AND MISERABLE has loads of class but no recent form. If he wakes up a win is within reach, but it is a big IF. (10) FAST APPROACH and (9) KNIGHT ANGEL both have early speed and should be put in play. Race 9: Non-winners $5,000 (NW L2 $5,500) in last 4 or $1,500 p.s. in 2024/TM 80.75 (NW L2/2L4 81/81.5) or less (7) SHESNOAPRILFOOL IR impressed me last time with a big finish to win going away. She certainly seems capable of handling this field despite the presence of a couple of class droppers in (1) ALTA MADEIRA N and (4) RAPTORS WON, the latter of which adds Lasix off a dull mile. Race 10: $20,000 Claiming - $50K GTD Pick 4 (5) IDEAL SKIES quickly moved on from the Burke barn after three winless starts and now goes out for Richard Bilach. Don’t sell him short as he lands in a decent spot and Miller sticking with the Burke horse (#10) means we’ll get a better price. (1) SHOOTING BROOKE had no chance most recently from post eight at Monticello but did win her prior start; playable. (4) NITE TIME DEAL drops in for a claiming tag and just might awaken. Race 11: Non-winners $3,000 in last 4/TM 77.5 (NW L2/2L4 78/78.5) or less (4) WOODMERE HARRIET was up against it from post 10 last time and closed well. She drops for the third straight start now and I’d be surprised if she didn’t bring a good effort. (6) OUR SHELL BELLE has displayed signs of life lately and now might be the right time to hop on board at a decent price. (9) SHEZAFREAKLIKEME was handled very aggressive two starts back when last in the NW3000 class. She’s an obvious player if handled similarly. (3) YOU BEDA ROCK is better one class lower but she can get a piece here. Race 12: Non-winners $3,000 (NW L2 $3,471) in last 4 or $1,250 p.s. in 2024/TM 77.5 (NW L2/2L4 78/78.5) or less (9) GO LONG got away slowly in his Meadowlands debut but no horse in the field had more left in the tank late. Perhaps his breaking issues at Monticello are solved by the big track. At the very least we should get fair value. (3) GOTWUTEVERITTAKES is the King of inconsistencies and breaks. The class drop and good qualifier is going to lure you in, and he could win. Just don’t take a short price. (7) TOUGH MUSCLE was asked but willing in his return qualifier. He finally seems ready to roll after spending a long time on the sidelines. (6) TACTICAL LORI has been awful since changing barns but she does drop to the level of her last win. (5) WIN TOGETHER S adds Bartlett to the team. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 13: Trackmaster 74.5 (NW L2/2L4 75/75.5) or less (1) SWEET CAROLINE IR hasn’t visited the winner’s circle but has been getting a bit better each week lately. In a field with no standouts she seems like a viable option. (7) ANNE BONNEY N fired off the gate and just missed last weekend; threat again. (6) BIG CITY DAISY needs some pace help. If they mix it up to the tune of a 56 half she could be firing late. Race 14: Trackmaster 71.5 (NW L2/2L4 72/72.5) or less/NW 1 race in 2024 (1) SHRIMP AND GRITS looks awful on paper but does drop and add a Hall of Fame driver. (2) STONE COLD SAVAGE has a number of good efforts in this class including a win a few starts back. (3) BIG BAD BILL was used hard the last time he was here and the inside post should give him the chance for a better trip.