Top Pick Stats: 115/384 = -$78.60 Best Bets: 12/38 = –$19.20; Spot Plays: 7/38 = -$10.70 Best Bet: NIGHTIME DANCER (RACE 11) Spot Play: TANGO SEELSTER (RACE 4) Early Pick 5: 1,3,10/4,7,8/5,7/6/9 = $3.60 Late Pick 5: 2,5,7/5,10/8/3/1,4,6,7 = $4.80 Race 1: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 3 (FM 5) RACES OR $50,000 (OS $66,750) LIFETIME. AE: OS 4 YEAR OLDS NW $54,000 IN 2024.  (1) FADEAWAY HANOVER was Scott Young’s choice in this contest over a colt his dad owns and trains. This 3YO gelded son of Chapter Seven trotted the lane nicely to a strong winner. He is arguably the one to beat and is one I’ll give the nod to kick off this card.(10) P L ROBERT G was aggressively handled in his latest and scored comfortably, on route to a wrapped up score. He moves further up in class and draws the far outside, but will continue to offer up value as a result. (3) RISING INTEREST made a miscue off the gate in his latest and was out of contention early. He will be making his 3rd start of his sophomore campaign and draws well here. He can compete, so long as he trots. (4) TREGARON will be making his sophomore debut, following a strong rookie campaign which saw him earn over $100k. Mario Baillargeon will take over the driving duties this evening, and this is a colt I’m expecting will need a start. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER NW $15,000 (ON SIRED $18,750) LIFETIME. (4) REIGNING CAPTAIN is coming off a runner-up qualifying effort as he gears up for his sophomore debut. He got picked off by a really got colt late in that mile but was still pacing strongly through the wire. He loses Doug McNair, who opts for another rival, but picks up Bob McClure, who sits behind a live drive this evening. (7) COOKIE AIR angled out halfway down the lane and made a strong charge to be a narrow 2nd. If he can be in contention sooner he’ll be a big player, and this is one that seems to be inching closer to his first win. (8) SOUTHWIND JUDGE is coming off a pair of qualifiers as he gears up for his sophomore debut. He was pacing hard in a 3rd place finish behind a couple of talented colts, and is one that can step up with a win off the bench here if he’s at his best; using. (2) CAPTAIN HURLEY was aggressively handled in his latest and hung on to pick up his first win. He steps up vs. tougher but can hit the ticket. [DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Mohawk Park card at DRF Bets.com!] Race 3: PREFERRED. (5) GAINES HANOVER made an aggressive bid at the heavy choice and just missed in what was a very game stretch duel. It was his first start of 2025 and with no Logan Park in this race, he gets top billing to get the job done in this field. (7) MARS HILL will make his 4YO debut and will now race out of the barn of Gregg McNair. He is coming off a trio of qualifiers and while he takes on tough company this evening, he’s good enough to put forth a strong effort here. I wouldn’t dismiss him. (2) FASHION FRENZIE will make his first start in on month, after a 3rd place finish in the New Holland Series final. It was a disappointing effort for a horse that looked like he was going to deliver in that outing, and he can hit the ticket despite the stale date. (3) GHOSTLY CAPSER comes off a 4th place effort in his most recent, and he can hit the ticket here as well. Race 4: CLAIMING HANDICAP $18,000 TO $25,000. (6) TANGO SEELSTER was moving very well late in the mile in a 4th place effort. He draws better, and he would see a more aggressive approach here in what I view as a wide open race. (8) JJ TOMMY went on a speed mission in his latest and got picked off after setting some quick panels. He’s Louis-Philippe Roy’s choice here and merits respect. (7) LETS GET ROCKED is coming off a 3rd place effort at this class in his latest and he’s an obvious contender. (5) STASH IT AWAY showed a burst of speed when he angled out late in the stretch to score. He steps up here but draws well and can keep improving. Race 5: NW $15,000 LAST 5 STARTS. AE: NW $100,000 LIFETIME. (9) OSCEOLA made his 5YO debut in the Preferred and jumped it off. He takes a dip in class, draws the outside, but is clearly the one to beat here. (5) DAHLQHUIST HANOVER converted off a pocket trip in his latest. He draws well and can work out a nice trip here, but will need to find more to get the best of the choice. (6) DJIMON disappointed as the chalk when he got picked off late by the one above. Draws well here and can hit the ticket. (2) NASEY has hit the board in four straight starts and should be in contention for another share. Race 6: NW $3,000 LAST 5 STARTS (W/O $15,000 LAST 10 STARTS N/E). (5) MAJOR FERNCO N take a dip in class here and draws well. He takes on much softer company than what he’s been facing in the past and is the one to beat here. (7) ARMYCAPTIN HANOVER never had a chance when drawing outside and got away last. He finished up his mile okay and is one that could take a step forward here. (2) BEACH COWBOY was in vs. tougher after a strong win. He should appreciate this class and can be right there. (4) BEACHIN LINDY left out aggressively and settled for a 5th place finish. He’s a danger late in the mile and is someone to watch out for if the race develops in his favor. Race 7: POP UP SERIES CONSOLATION: HORSES & GELDINGS NW $7,500 IN 2025 OR NOT AVERAGING $900 PER START IN 2024 OR 2025 (MIN 8 STARTS). (5) TORONTO was conservatively handled in his latest after being taken out of what was a good trip two starts back. He hooks a favorable bunch here in this consolation, and I’m expecting a more aggressive approach in this spot. (10) BETTOR OF THE WEST left out for early positioning and found a seam late in the mile to be a good 3rd. He draws outside but can get involved early if need be, and is one that merits respect if he works out a nice trip. (6) SOUTHWIND SAMBUCCA was aggressively handled in his latest but faded to 4th. He might find more success vs. this group and draws well; he’s a contender. (9) HARRY G showed some good interest late in the mile at a big number. He draws outside and might have a tough time getting involved early on, but is one that can pick up a share late. Race 8: NW $6,050 LAST 5 STARTS (W/O $18,250 LAST 10 STARTS N/E) AE: N/A $1,970 P/S IN 2024-25. (8) COLD SNAPS take a dip in class here after taking on tougher company over her last few tries. She can float out for an early spot of the gate and will be tough to fend off late. (2) SHADRACK HANOVER made a break and pulled up in his latest. He draws better and reunites with James MacDonald and he can content in this spot. (6) THE CANAM BANKER closed nicely to be a narrow 2nd in his latest. He draws well and can build off that most recent try. (5) BELLA CAVALLA hasn’t hit the board over her last two tries, but hooks a field where she should be able to find some life again. Race 9: POP UP SERIES FINAL: NW $15,000 (F&M $18,750) IN 2025 (3) PHOENIX looked like a standout from the moment this Pop Up Series field was introduced, and it’s held true so far through two legs. I don’t imagine anything different here in the final; multi-leg single. (2) PESO HANOVER was a runner up finisher to the choice in his latest, and he’s a strong candidate to finish in a similar position. (6) GIGONDAS draws well and can stick around to grab a piece. (4) EYES OF JUSTICE came first up and wasn’t able to gain. He can close late for a share. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 10: NW $3,000 LAST 5 STARTS (W/O $12,500 LAST 10 STARTS N/E). (1) MARKET BANKER was scr-sick in his latest. He hooks a group where he should be able to compete, and I’ll take a bit of a flier on this guy and hope he can find the winner’s circle this evening. (7) BUCK DANCER made a miscue early on in the mile and pulled up. He was 2nd and 1st in his two efforts prior and is one that has bounce-back potential here. (6) CRYSTAL BALLER worked out a perfect trip but got leg weary late in a 3rd place effort. It was an improved effort and he could take another step forward vs. this group. (4) MISTER MAGIC was a winner in his latest but hasn’t raced in more than three weeks. He’s a contender if he’s sharp enough and always merits respect at this level. Race 11:  POP UP SERIES FINAL: HORSES & GELDINGS NW $7,500 IN 2025 OR NOT AVERAGING $900 PER START IN 2024 OR 2025 (MIN 8 STARTS). (8) NIGHTIME DANCER was confidently handled and was a strong winner in his latest. He was James MacDonald’s choice in this Pop Up Final, and should have every opportunity to double up vs. this group. (4) GOING FAST hung in tough to be 3rd in what was a difficult trip. He draws well and should have every opportunity to grab a share in this spot. (9) STONEBRIDGE HELIOS took a step forward in his latest and couldn’t hold off the choice. He draws outside but holds a serious class edge over this field, and can be dangerous if he’s close to himself.  (6) AREUKIDINME CABBIE rallied nicely to be a narrow 2nd. He draws well and merits respect with a trip. (10) DIRTY LIL PIGLET has been racing well but is up against it here from pp10. He can grab a share late, but I don’t envision much else.