WINTER MEET STATS: 265-81-42-34 / $464.40 (-$65.60) BEST BETS: 16-6-6-0 / $26.60 (-$5.40) SPOT PLAYS: 19-4-3-3 / $14.20 (-$23.80) BEST BET: HERVEY HANOVER (2nd) SPOT PLAY: AMERICAN DEALER N (10th) Race 1: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 1 Pace - Pick 5 (6) WHAMMER JAMMER moves to a much better spot in the middle of the gate tonight. This guy has been racing pretty well, can take air with the best of them and actually catches a softer group than we saw in this division last week. (10) APERTIF is without a doubt the horse to beat if he doesn’t face too much resistance as he fires off the gate. (2) FRAZIER HANOVER dropped a couple of seconds in his second start back from winter vacation. Silva makes bread in these amateur races and is a master at turning horses around. (7) YER SO BAD always seems to be coming late for a share of the lower exotics. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: Trackmaster 74.5 (NW L2/2L4 75/75.65) or less (1) HERVEY HANOVER returned from a six week break in action in his debut for the Engblom barn last time. He went to the front, was shuffled to third and overcame stretch traffic to easily finish second while shut down late. I’d accept 3-5 in this spot and consider it value. (2) EURO STEP was third over through somewhat slow fractions last time and paced home very willingly. (6) ROCK JAGGER gets trainer and driver changes tonight. He was used hard last time so tiring wasn’t unexpected. Don’t be shocked if he turns it around. (7) LOCKDOWN LOUIE N could be interesting as a player if Chisholm fires him off the wings of the gate. [DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Meadowlands card at DRF Bets.com!] Race 3: Trackmaster 77.5 (NW L2/2L4/L8 78/78.5/78.75) or less - Survivor 7 (7) NATIONAL SPORT pushed away from the gate nicely but had too much company last time and had to settle for a tuck. After that he gained mildly late from third over. In a field with no standouts, he’s arguably the sharpest. (10) MASK ON MASK OFF was third when last in this class. He should be firing hard off the wings tonight and if he doesn’t have too much company it could work out nicely. (3) TREY ROCKETTE was in the Game of Claims at Pocono and that is no easy series. (6) JOJO’S PLACE was used early and that may’ve sapped some of her late power off cover a week ago. He has a chance with a smooth trip. Race 4: Trackmaster 83.5 (NW L2/2L5 84/85.45) or less (2) BOBCAT BAY failed on the engine last time but looks to be in a prime spot here when you look at the potential pace scenario. There are a couple who may show early speed but only #4 has done so in his last two starts. Inside post gives Siegelman the option of floating away and making a quick move to the front or firing out and making others take a seat. (8) DIVINE RIGHT was head to helmet in the stretch last time while hopelessly trapped in traffic. My only concern here is trip from the outside. (4) TARANAKI has early speed and good form; Pick 5 worthy if you want to spread. (1) WARRAWEE YANKEE has been climbing the ladder without too much trouble and that isn’t a shock. He was stuck in a tough spot last time fourth over. Race 5: Non-winners 2 (NW L2 3) races life/Maidens draw inside (10) STATESIDELCKDWN GB took a few starts to get into gear but boy did the switch go on last time when Miller bypassed a tuck to drive on for the front and this guy never looked back. Miller chose a 3-year-old here, which is no surprise, but we get a great substitute in McCarthy. (4) SUMMIT SEELSTER was perhaps a bit green but he certainly had hidden pace left on the end of his Pocono qualifying mile. Sweet Lou-sired colt could have more in the tank tonight than people expect and will be a big price. (7) TWIN FURY added Lasix in his return to the races and won as he pleased. He was pointed to stakes last year so you know there is talent here. (9) ENRICO PALLAZZO got behind the gate for the first time for new trainer Besim Odza and was absolutely loaded with pace when asked in the lane. This is another one that could surprise people at a healthy price. Race 6: Trackmaster 89 or less Handicap - $50K GTD Pick 4 (1) ABSOLUTE POWER absolutely uncorked a serious move to the front and powered away very impressively. If she turns in the same effort she wins again. If she improves in his second start back from winter break, she crushes them! (9) TONY’S MOM returns to The Meadowlands and when she was last seen here the result was a three length win in the same class. (2) SANTAFE’S APPETITE just keeps climbing the class ladder and racing well. If the trip works out she can get another nice piece. (6) TAKE YOUR PICK has plenty of early speed and crazy-good form. Race 7: Winners 2-4 (NW L2 5) races or $50,000 life (10) LUKE’S BAR has proven himself with a win and two top-three finishes in this class already. People will likely shy away from him due to post 10, but with the amount of early speed signed on things could set up very nicely. (3) ROCKET MAN HILL stepped up his game in start two for this barn and you have to like that he can stalk and pounce. The race could certainly play into his hands as well. (2) HILLOOKIN comes off a good mile at Yonkers but he was all out there. It will be interesting to see how he stretches out on the mile track almost a year removed from his last appearance here. (7) ROCK MY UNIVERSE already has one upset win in this class and he’ll be overlooked again tonight. Race 8: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L2 $8,351) in last 4/TM 85.93 or less/Starters NW $6,400 L/S or $1 last 2 - Pick 6 (2) CAPTAIN CRUSADER A moves up in class in theory but really doesn’t face the toughest NW7500 group around. The last time he was in this class the race went sub 1:50 and I don’t see any of these popping off a mile like that tonight without plenty of help. (1) T DOG is a nice honest horse who can sometimes overcome a bad trip and can race with multiple styles; main contender. (8) HANDLELIKEAPORSCHE has early speed and form but must prove he can dig in for a win. (5) JUSTASEC N seemingly awakened in a hurry on the barn and track change. I could see taking a positive view on a horse with back class. Race 9: Trackmaster 80.5 (NW L2/2L4/NW1since10-25-24 81/81.5/82.17) or less (7) ODDS ON LAUDERDALE was saved and finished up willingly in his first start since November. He lands in what looks like a softer spot but I do have some concern that he is simply prepping for Plainridge. Last year he was just ok here but won three straight at the New England oval upon departure, so demand some value. (2) JOHNNY CHIP came up just short of a career best mile at age 10 last weekend. New trainer Odza can keep the good times rolling. (4) KNOCKIN OUT seemed to get along with Miller last time and he sticks this week. (3) BLOODHOUND did a 180 to win in the amateur ranks a couple of weeks back. If Silva has him right now there is no reason he can’t play in here. Race 10: Non-winners $12,500 (NW 2L4 $14,651) in last 4 or 9 races life/TM 88 or less - $50K GTD Pick 4 (10) AMERICAN DEALER N was stuck behind a gapper and finished up his mile with some pace in his 2025 debut. Classy 8-year-old is very capable of firing off the gate to overcome the post and this seems like the right spot to take that shot. (3) STONEBRIDGE REEF goes for four straight wins tonight as he continues to climb the ladder with ease. Why not again? (7) MAC’S DELIGHT loomed but couldn’t quite seal the deal in his first try of the year. Any step forward would put him firmly in the win picture. (2) PRIMARY COLORS raced well in this class to be second last time and we’ve seen him pop some big miles in the past. Race 11: Non-winners $5,000 (NW L2 $5,795) in last 4 (7) LUKE MCGOOK bumped up a level and still won by open lengths last time in an exact clocking. There is no reason he can’t keep the streak going. (10) JILLIBY DYNAMITE A was Miller’s choice on the class drop and he’ll likely be heavily backed. A warning that his last two tries in this condition produced second-place finishes and not wins. (5) DANCE PARTNER is the other class-dropper in the field. He’s more of a trip threat than a killer for NW5000. (2) SWEET JEFF IR has proven that he can be competitive with these if on his game. Race 12: Non-winners $12,500 in last 4 (7) OUTSIDE THE FIRE is a horse I was firmly against last week and after leaving he ended up making a break. Tonight he lands in a much better spot and really has no excuses for failure. (5) DRIBBLING BI moves up and down the condition ladder without much trouble. His best gets him a big chunk. (3) PURPLE LORD and (6) KING ALPHONSO are two horses with speed and some class. Either could step up if feeling good. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 13: Non-winners $2,000 (NW L2 $2,300) in last 4 (6) IDIOSYNCRATIC gets a barn and venue change after an unsuccessful run at Pocono versus tougher competition. He should perk up here and potentially find early speed as well. (8) TOTO HANOVER and (9) ITS SHOWTIME are both proven commodities when they drop to this level. Either could win if the top one isn’t on his game. (2) FUGLEMAN finished well late from fourth over last time. Race 14: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2/L4/L6 71.5/72/72.35) or less (2) LOU ON THE BEACH improved in his first start for Hernandez and it is interesting to see he reaches out for a catch-driver tonight. I’m expecting all systems to be on go. (9) COLE ON THE BEACH flashed big early speed and picked up a win in his last try in the TM71 class; big threat. (6) SEIZE CONTROL has been tackling some very sharp horses in the claiming ranks and can get a decent piece here. (5) BARBOSSA HANOVER was able to finish second in a TM74 three starts back.