WINTER MEET STATS: 349-101-57-47 / $597.40 (-$100.60) BEST BETS: 22-9-8-0 / $42.00 (-$2.00) SPOT PLAYS: 25-6-3-3 / $22.00 (-$28.00) BEST BET: HERVEY HANOVER (12th) SPOT: LITE N SWEET (13th) Race 1: Trackmaster Series 77.5 (NW L2/2L4/L8 78/78.91/78.75) or less - Pick 5 Really competitive race to kick off the card and Pick 5. (3) SPINDOCTOR HANOVER takes a double bump in class off an eight length romp, but in reality he probably would’ve won two starts back in TM74 if not for trouble so the jump isn’t as big as it looks. If we can get 5-2 or higher I’d be on board. (8) FENDI HANOVER has climbed the ladder successfully with three straight wins and really earned the victory last time when he was used to the front and pulled the pocket on the final turn. He’s too sharp to ignore. (5) HEART OF DIXIE won in 1:52 1/5 the last time he was at this level, but he hasn’t raced in four weeks. (1) STRAIGHT TALK is another dropping down to the level of his last win that could win this race filled with sharp horses. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: Winners 3-6 races lifetime/NW 7 races drawn outside Another interesting race with many contenders. (5) LUKE’S BAR never got into the race last time from post 10 as the pace was too slow and the top three finishers occupied the leading spots throughout the mile. Despite this being a shorter field, there is a fair amount of early speed here and a second-over trip seems likely for this guy. (7) WINTER SOLDIER is the clear horse to beat considering he is taking a major class drop and was a winner when last seen in this condition; another likely closer. (8) CHIPPER DALE is a horse that does his best work on the front and won in this class last time. He may have to work even more than last week with #’s 3 and 4 both likely pushing away hard. (1) ROCKET MAN HILL should be able to stick close from the cones and rally for a decent piece. Race 3: Trackmaster Series 74.5 (NW L2/2L4 75/75.65) or less - Survivor 7 (5) OUTCRY is without a doubt the sharpest horse in the field and despite his 2-for-49 record the last two years, the road to the winner’s circle goes through him; Bartlett drives tonight! (2) GOTTA MINUTE N was even when in TM 77 and he really had no chance sitting the whole mile in the slop last time. This is a good spot for him to sprint away and take a shot. (8) VANDALISM has a decent history of success in this class here and I wouldn’t be shocked if he perks up. The only negative is a lack of early speed in the past. (4) LINCOLN BOULEVARD is down in class but has been here before without doing well. Race 4: Non-winners 2 (NW L2 3) races or $20,000 life (8) SHES A STREAKER was third in the Three Diamonds when last seen behind Breeders Crown winner Miki And Minnie, so there is talent here. Her qualifier looks just ok but that 27 3/5 final quarter was actually quite good for the conditions and the competition was much better than what #1 and #3 faced. (1) AMERICA HANOVER has three qualifiers under her belt now and that ensures she’ll be ready to fire here. Tall Dark Stranger filly may not be the best in the field but I expect she’ll be giving it her all while a couple of others may play more conservatively. (7) GLITTERING HOPE crushed easier last time in an impressive mile; contender. (4) PLEASE BE YOU finished very well for the going away win last time out; another possible player. Race 5: 3-Year-Old Colts and Geldings that are Non-winners of $30,000 life (6) SMOOTH DREAM showed an impressive middle move to attack the leader in his qualifier and although he drifted late the result was a game victory. New trainer Noel Daley seems to have him ready at first asking in 2025. (9) TWIN FURY left for position but couldn’t find room up the cones and found too much traffic trying to angle out. He figures to be put on the engine here if too many others don’t fly off the wings of the gate. (5) ODDS ON BROWARD paid an unbelievably good price last time and figures again with a smooth trip. (4) BULLDOZER has put in two good miles to start his career. Race 6: Non-winners $12,500 (NW 2L5 $15,155) in last 4/TM 87 (NW L2 87.5) or less - $50K GTD Pick 4 (3) MAXIM HANOVER couldn’t overcome a first-over trip versus a much better group than he faces this week. Four-year-old is sharp and figures to get an aggressive steer. (2) PRIMARY COLORS isn’t one of my favorite horses on the win end but he certainly finds a good spot this week if he comes to play with his best effort. (8) GRAND CAYMAN hasn’t been here since August 3 but was a decent third that day. Dropping out of the Open class at Dover makes him a contender with these. Race 7: Non-winners 2 races lifetime or $7,500 in 2024-25/Maidens draw inside (5) AVELLINO has been racing well with nothing to show for it through two starts this year. Last time he found too much company leaving the gate and made a premature wide move before flattening some. Four-year-old moves to the middle of the gate and perhaps he’ll get a winning trip at a price. (7) ALWAYS B COLOUR IR had no trouble in his U.S. debut and seems like the one to beat here. (6) HANDSOME STRANGER went the same time but in my mind improved in his second start of 2025. He’s a clear player tonight. (9) T H TYSON uncorked a big rally to win at Philly after a year on the sidelines. Chris Ryder trainee appeared to have some ability when first seen as a 2-year-old and perhaps he’s finally ready to pay dividends. Race 8: Trackmaster Series 83.5 (NW L2/2L5 84/85.45) or less - Pick 6 (9) BOBCAT BAY shows some early speed but when it was time to do his best racing in the stretch he found himself behind a wall of horses without any daylight. Starting from the far outside, you can expect he’ll fire off the wings of the gate for the front and sit a better trip. (6) SWINWITHTHECURRENT improved in each of his starts this year and found the winner’s circle most recently. His 1:50 and change win from last year says he can go with these. (10) TARANAKI powered away to a very impressive win last week in leg one of the series. Will he be handled that aggressively from post 10 again? If he doesn’t leave at all he’ll be in a bad spot in this bulky field. Race 9: Trackmaster 86.5 (NW L2 87) or less/NW $7,500 last 4 or TM 83.5 or less draw inside (1) HERS HUNGRY took a tour of the oval from the back of the pack after drawing the far outside in her first start since November. Five-year-old put up a very nice season in 2024 and should be ready to show much more tonight. (6) ALWAYS IN FLIGHT handled the class jump without issue last time and now takes another here. She seems more than sharp enough to go with these. (5) MADRID A got away poorly and lost any chance a week ago and prior to that she was stuck uncovered. She’s a trip player in this spot. (9) ABSOLUTE POWER has been used hard in her last two starts. Maybe we’ll see different tactics and better results this week. Race 10: Winners 4-7 (NW L2 8) races or $100,000 life - $50K GTD Pick 4 (7) ZEPPOLE HANOVER was scratched-sick out of last week’s races but is right back in the box, which is a good sign. Four-year-old should be heading to the front and at worst sit the pocket. (2) GEM QUALITY was an exceptional 2-year-old that never quite delivered the same life as a sophomore. Barn wins off layoffs at a good rate but I have to expect this guy will get a more conservative steer. (5) ITS SATURDAY NIGHT just missed in his first start of the year; could improve further. Race 11: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L2 $8,351) in last 4 (6) DEAN B HANOVER probably wasn’t expecting the resistance he got when brushing to the lead last time in a speedy 54 seconds. Still, he held well to be second and seems to be sitting on a win. (4) HANDLELIKEAPORSCHE is the horse that pushed the top pick to that fast half. This guy seems to be just as reliable regardless of how fast he goes early in the mile. (1) BELMONT ROYALE N was overbet last time and didn’t deliver. He moves to the inside of the gate and should have a big shot if Miller can find the right trip. (10) JOEMIKIYOURSOFINE hasn’t been seen since November but did come back nicely off the same break last year with a third and then a win. Race 12: Trackmaster 80.5 (NW L2/2L4 81/81.5) or less (10) HERVEY HANOVER handled the jump to TM77 without a problem and despite post 10 and another bump up to TM80, he should go down the road again. (4) WARRAWEE TOTAL is capable of racing from on or off the pace. 10-year-old finished with good pace last weekend. (3) I’LL HUNT YOU DOWN has won five straight in the lower claimer. This group is a new ballgame but I’ll give him a shot because he is only age 5 and maybe he’s improved enough to go with them. (6) ROCKIN THE ACES responded nicely with Lasix added. His best is certainly good enough to win this race. (2) TOTO HANOVER adds Dunn to the team. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 13: Trackmaster Series 77.5 (NW L2/2L4/L8 78/78.91/78.75) or less (9) LITE N SWEET had a very easy trip and went an even mile in his first start since November. It may not be apparent from his lines on the page but this guy has the early speed to fire out and I believe we’ll see it tonight, along with a much better performance. (2) BOLD SPIRIT was also just even last time, his first start in this barn. With all of the better horses in this mini-series landing in race one, you have to believe that moves this guy way up the totem pole. (4) FOX VALLEY REN has some early speed and should be put in play. (3) JOJO’S PLACE tends to get into the exotics at this level. Race 14: Trackmaster Series 74.5 (NW L2/2L4 75/75.65) or less (7) SUNSHINE’S FINEST was overbet as expected with Dunn taking over the lines last week and while he raced well this gelding came up a bit short late after being used early. The price should rise over 2-1 this week and that signals us to jump in the pool. (3) NATIONAL SPORT won the first leg a week ago and also his last race at this TM74 level. He’s clearly the horse to beat. (8) ROCK JAGGER was able to score by 3.5 lengths in round one; obvious threat. (10) SAULSBROOK RAPTOR drops to the level of his last win. You’re going to get a big price on a capable horse.