MEET STATS: 112-30-18-11 / $181.80 (-$42.20) BEST BETS: 8-4-2-0 / $17.20 (+$1.20) SPOT PLAYS: 8-1-3-1 / $4.20 (-$11.80) BEST BET: BANK SEA (11th) SPOT PLAY: HOMESTRETCH WES (7th) Race 1: Trackmaster 74 (NW L2/2L4 74.5/75.05) or less - Pick 5 Interesting race here since a few horses have gotten allowances to enter on the condition that their amateur-driving owners are in the bike. All of these amateurs are competent and a couple of the horses are simply too sharp to ignore on the top of our tickets. (3) CAMLACHIE CHROME was second against much better last time and a winner two back in this class. Driver Keim just needs to sit chilly early and look for some cover. (4) WAY TO CLOSE blew out a huge mile last weekend and anything close to that mile here would make him tough to beat. (5) OH COFFEE BEAN came to play on the barn change to Estrada with Lasix added. He’s the likely favorite. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: $10,000-$12,500 Claiming Handicap - Survivor 7 (2) SNEAK ON BYE was used hard last week, leaving to the front and making a wide move on the backstretch before challenging (3) LITTLE POWER first-over in an impossible trip. With somewhat smoother sailing he can turn the tables on the sharp #3 who has won two of three starts. (9) TYRONSBITOFLEMON N has the early speed needed to overcome the outside post and we get a new driver here on the class drop as Dunn opts to this guy over the top pick. [DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Meadowlands card at DRF Bets.com!] Race 3: Non-winners $2,000 (NW L2 $2,200) in last 4 (7) BIZYS BEATLE takes a meaningful drop in class in his third start back from a six-week vacation. This barn picked up its first wins of the meet last week and I’d expect them to have this guy ready to roll. (6) PASSA-GRILLE BEACH and (4) HEREITTIZ are both moving into this basement condition as well while getting a touch of post relief. Both horses raced very well in 2023 and are eligible to show more tonight. Race 4: Winners 2-4 (NW L2 5) races life - Pick 8 (4) OAKWOOD ARDAN IR remains undefeated since arriving in the United States and while this looks like his toughest test yet, he should pass in good order. (2) GRETZKY THE GREAT picked up his game in start two after a long time on the sidelines. Whether he is up to beating the top pick is another story. (3) SHEER TERROR was strong off the bench as expected for this barn; threat with improvement. Race 5: Non-winners $5,000 (NW L2 $5,500) in last 4 (4) MONTANA STORM N would’ve done much better if he didn’t lack room while in traffic last week. More class relief comes Saturday and you have to think Smith will look to put him in play. (3) LITE N SWEET looked like a sure winner and simply refused to win last Saturday. I’ll stick around another week and will be checking for equipment changes. (10) DE LOS CIELOS DEO beat a field he was supposed to beat last time. We know he is fast enough to handle the better foes here but the post likely limits him to a lower exotic spot. Race 6: $15,000 Claiming - $50K GTD Pick 4 (6) DESIRE’S CAPTAIN has two straight wins in this class and there’s a decent chance you’ll get 2-1 or higher on him again here. (5) JK LUCKY CHARMS got nipped at the wire by the top pick a week ago; dangerous. (1) SEE YOU FRIDAY was stuck behind a wall of horses while under a hold in the stretch last time. He could be an interesting value horse to use on your Pick 4 tickets. Race 7: Trackmaster 80 (NW L2/2L4 80.5/81) or less (4) HOMESTRETCH WES was locked in the pocket and never got clear last time. Barn change now, and he adds Dunn to the team. (2) THROWING COPPER took advantage of a fast pace last time and rallied nicely. The move inside should only help. (1) TRENTE DEO rolled in an amateur race here upon arrival; catch-driver now. Race 8: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L2 $8,250) in last 4/TM 83 (NW L2 83.5) or less - Pick 6 (9) KEAYANG KAMIKAZE A rolled to a nice victory in his most recent Yonkers qualifier. Down Under import won eight times and was in-the-money 24 times in 37 starts back in his homeland. (3) REVOLVER drops to the level of his last win. He’ll need a smooth journey but does pick up a more accomplished pilot in the bike. (6) BEACH VIBES falls into the same category of a horse who is back in the same class of his last victory and seems unlikely to be the chalk. Race 9: Non-winners $10,000 (NW L2 $11,000) in last 4/TM 89.5 or less (8) STELLAR YANKEE has lived up to his name of late and couldn’t have looked any better last weekend. Horses that win by over six lengths can usually handle a bump up in class. (2) NATURALLY GIFTED A was very fast off the gate in his qualifier but settled down like a true professional in the four-hole and was much the best. This guy looks like he might have some ability. (7) STONEBRIDGE REEF picked up Dunn and looked super last Saturday. He’s proven capable of keeping his form for quite a few starts. Race 10: $20,000-$30,000 Claiming Handicap - $50K GTD Pick 4 (2) ODDS ON BOCA RATON couldn’t be sharper right now and he has the class to continue to handle the hike in company. If Callahan can sit just off likely speedballs (8) MARCUS SEELSTER and (9) SUGAR ME N, he should have a big shot. Marcus Seelster is in fine form but must keep it going for a new barn. Sugar Me N drops back in for a similar claiming tag to when he changed hands. Race 11: Trackmaster 77 (NW L2/2L4 77.5/78) or less (5) BANK SEA was used to the top, yielded and shuffled back to third, then found himself bottled up in traffic in the lane with no chance to stretch his legs last time. Veteran of the racing wars gets class relief tonight and should take charge. (2) LYONS PRIDE has been racing well and should be sitting close to the top pick early. (6) LOVETHEWAYYOULIE owns a powerful late kick and only needs someone to push #5 early in the mile to have a chance in the stretch. Race 12: Non-winners $2,000 (NW L2 $2,200) in last 4 (3) GENTLE GIANT hasn’t seen things go his way since taking a mini vacation. Now he lands in a field without a ton of early speed and should be sitting pretty at big odds. (8) BRAZEN BRAZILIAN & (4) YER SO BAD are two more horses that lack a top catch-driver. They are both double-dropping in class and either is capable if given a decent journey. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 13: Non-winners $3,000 (NW L2 $3,300) in last 4 The entire field is basically dropping in company on paper, which means none of them are getting class relief. (2) TITO ROCKS seems likely to get an aggressive steer this week. He hasn’t been great in 2024 but this barn is firing on all cylinders with eight placings from 12 starts. (3) IGNATIUS A posted an even mile in his first start back from a two month break; expecting more now. (6) DECISION DAY has been racing better as the company around him gets softer; small check at least. (8) JK STANDINGOVATION has won here in the past and this would seem to be a good spot if ready to roll on his return to the big track. Race 14: Non-winners 2 (NW L2 3) races life/Maidens draw inside (9) MIDNIGHT THUNDER comes in with the question mark of missing four weeks with a scratched-sick line sandwiched in there, but the fact that Dexter Dunn was listed is a good sign that he’s ready to go. (4) BARRIER is certainly formidable in this class and went off 3-5 last time. That said, he’s now 2 for 52 in the win column lifetime and hard to rely on. (7) THE MOMENT AROSE took a tour of the track in his return from a seven week break in action. He has the raw speed to compete in here if the pace scenario works to his advantage.