Top Pick Stats: 115/384 = -$78.60 Best Bets: 12/38 = –$19.20; Spot Plays: 7/38 = -$10.70 Best Bet: HELLO DARKNESS (RACE 6) Spot Play: NAZARE (Race 4) Early Pick 5: 5,6,7/6/1,5,6,7/5/1,2,7 = $7.20 Middle Pick 5: 4/10/7/4,5/3 = 0.40 cents Race 1: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 1 (WINNERS FOR A PURSE OF $9,000 OR LESS 2 RACES) RACE OR $8,500 LIFETIME. (6) MISTY COVE hasn’t hit the board in both career tries. He didn’t have much of a chance getting away from pp10 and was able to finish 5th. He was running in a bit late in the stretch and is one that will have a good opportunity for an improved effort if he can replicate his qualifying efforts, and should appreciate the post relief in this spot. I’ll give him the nod. (5) ZANDER will make his 3YO debut off a pair of solid qualifiers. He was winless in nine tries as a freshman but will have as good a chance to break his maiden in this spot. (7) CAPTAIN HURLEY angled out late in the stretch and was moving well. He fell short to a pocket sitter who slipped up the inside and got the jump on him, and he looks like he could be inching closer to a trip to the winner’s circle. Doug McNair sticks, who had his choice of two others in this contest. (2) BUNKHOUSE BOSS showed good late speed in the late stages of his most recent qualifier. He hit the board just once in nine tries as a rookie and can close late for a share here. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: NW $25,000 LAST 5 STARTS. AE: 4 YEAR OLDS. (6) MERIGO MAGIC didn’t have much to offer in his latest despite a tough trip. He was loaded with pace in the pocket two starts back and avoids having to take on some of the heavy hitters in the Preferred this time out, and I’ll give him the nod to find the winner’s circle here. (1) EMMETTS BUDDY got away 4th off the car in his latest and brushed to the lead off some quick panels. He was leading for most of the mile before getting picked off by a rival who uncorked a vicious, late rally, and should come right back with another strong effort here. (4) CODENAME CIGAR BOX came first up against a dominant winner but still paced hard throughout the wire. He draws well and can grab a big piece in this spot. (5) WHICHWAYTOTHEBEACH has failed to hit the board over his last two starts. He draws well and should be summoned early, which will give him every opportunity to hit the ticket. Race 3: FILLIES & MARES, NW $8,875 LAST 5 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $50,000. (6) GOUDAWON ships in from Flamboro off a dominant, gate to wire score vs. much softer company. She draws well here and should be brimming with confidence, but will need to find a little more vs. a group that hasn’t been overly sharp as of late. I’ll give her the nod in a wide open race. (7) BETTERNOTMATCHME has been no worse than 3rd in 5 of her last 6 tries. She has the gate speed to get involved early and should have every opportunity to get the job done here, given the right trip. (1) MIKKI SIXX is coming off a qualifying effort as she gears up for her first pari-mutuel start since 3/14. She couldn’t go by the pace setter off a two-hole trip and was running in during that stretch drive. She has the ability when she’s at her best to put forth a strong showing but we haven’t seen that as of late from this mare. She’s one I can throw in on a multi leg ticket based on her ability, but not one I can bet with confidence. (5) LADY GET LUCKY showed some good wheels at the end of her mile when she angled off the cones late. She showed good interest in that mile and can blow up the tote board if things set up for her here. Race 4: NW $8,000 LAST 5 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $50,000. (5) NAZARE was claimed out his latest after a strong, 2nd place effort and will not race out of the barn of Jodie Cullen. He draws the middle of the gate in what is a tougher spot, but has shown competitive efforts at this class in the past. He is one I’ll give the nod to here, as he seems to be trending in the right direction. (4) BOSTON BOUND was third-over on cover turning for home and paced nicely to be 4th. He has another middle of the gate draw and might be forwardly placed off the car this evening, which will give him a good chance. (1) LEGION SEELSTER left out aggressively from the nine hole in his latest, before being stuck behind a rival who tired and gapped. He found a seam late and finished up with pace and is one that should be sitting on a good effort this evening. (3) STORMALONG grabbed the show spot in his latest. He draws inside and should be able to work out a good spot off the gate, and will be given every chance. Race 5: NW $14,000 LAST 5 OR $28,000 LAST 10 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $70,000. (1) FORTIFY was aggressively handled in his latest after taking a dip in class, and tired to be 4th in that effort. He takes another drop here and should be the one to take down in this spot off the drop alone, and I’ll give him the edge here. (7) PACINO HANOVER was sent forward off the gate at a big number in the New Holland Series Final. He backed through the field to finish 7th in that contest and will make his first start in a couple weeks here. He should appreciate the company he keeps and will have every opportunity to bounce back. (2) BLUE HUNT was looking for room late in the stretch and was pacing well late in the mile when finding a seam. He hasn’t hit the board in 4 starts this year but is inching closer to a big effort. (4) JACK PANIC rounded out the super in his latest. He has failed to hit the board in three straight tries but will be given every chance to grab a piece here. Race 6: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 1 (WINNERS FOR A PURSE OF $9,000 OR LESS 2 RACES) RACE OR $8,500 LIFETIME. (4) HELLO DARKNESS will be making his career debut off a pair of runner up qualifying finishes. He showed some good pace at the end of both miles and appeared to have more in the tank in each of those efforts. I’ll give him the nod to take down this group at first asking. (2) NOVA BLU was bet down as the choice in what appeared to be a good spot for this colt. He made a move to the lead just as they approached the 1/4 pole and put in steps. This 3YO gelded son of Tall Dark Stranger is winless in 7 career tries but is a main player, so long as he stays pacing. (6) MAGICAL BET had the lead turning for home before jumping it off halfway down the lane. He draws well and should be able to get involved early, but is one I’ll slot for a share in this spot. (3) STRONGMAN HANOVER was never involved in his latest despite a favorable draw and multiple equipment changes. He paced a strong final quarter but has shown a tendency to run in, and is one that can get a bigger share with an improved effort. Race 7: POP UP SERIES: HORSES & GELDINGS NW $15,000 IN 2025 OR NOT AVERAGING $1,400 PER START IN 2024 OR 2025 (MIN 8 STARTS). (10) WIND BLOWN has been a dominant winner in consecutive outings since adding Lasix. He draws outside but should have no problem getting situated early, and is awfully tough to go against. (5) BATTERUP HANOVER was a runner up finisher to the one above in his latest. He paced hard throughout but was still no match for the choice, and he should have every opportunity to be an exacta player in this spot. (6) ALL BETS ON TEX left out from pp9 and sat a good trip in his latest. He got a clear shot at the leader and was able to go by the pocket setter to score the upset. He draws even better here and should be able to stick around for a good piece. (1) CONTROL THE POWER nabbed the show spot in his latest and will have every opportunity to land on the ticket as well. Race 8: NW $8,000 LAST 5 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $50,000. (7) SERGEANT SLAUGHTER was a 2nd place finisher to a rival who paced a huge mile. He should be the one to beat here and should be able to make every call a winning one. (3) SERIOUSLY HANOVER has one, on-the-board finish in six tries this year. He paced the lane okay in his latest and can build off that effort. (8) WANNABEABIGSTAR hasn’t hit the board in six straight tries, but is one who’s capable of a better showing. He’ll need a trip. (1) PIPEWRENCH CHARLIE took back from pp8 in his latest. He can flash gate speed when see fit and he should be able to find a good seat off the car from the rail here; he can grab a piece. Race 9: PREFERRED. (5) BRUE HANOVER has rattled off four straight wins since shipping to Canada and entering the barn of Dave Menary. He has shown a tendency to drift out in the lane, but he still paces strongly when motoring forward. He should have every opportunity at a fifth consecutive victory here. (4) JABBERWOCKY has flashed wicked late speed over his last two outings. If he is able to sit a closer trip to the choice, he might just be able to pull off the upset; he’s sharp. (2) ODDS ON CAPITALISM was a runner up finisher to the choice. He draws inside and should be able to sit close and grab a good piece. (3) TAURASI never left the rail in his latest and finished 5th. He was a gutsy, fist over winner two starts back but will need to find more to beat the choice. Race 10: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 3 RACES OR $79,500 LIFETIME. (3) AYEAYE CAPTAIN DEO will be making his 3YO debut off a pair of winning qualifiers. He’s brushed past the pace setter in both of those outings and was pacing well forwardly in both of those efforts. He was under some reminders from driver Bob McClure in those preps and appears to be coming into this race in good shape. This is a stakes caliber colt who should be able to get the best of this group this evening. (6) WARRAWEEFORLAURA is coming off a pair of qualifiers. He was a 3rd place finisher in his latest behind a talented rival and will likely be the biggest threat to the one above, but he’ll need to dig deep and find more. (7) REGIL BUBB made a miscue off the gate in his latest. He has hit the board in 8 of 9 tries and will have every opportunity to grab a big piece. (1) BEACH COWBOY took a dip in class and converted off a two-hole trip to score confidently. He hooks tougher but can grab a share in this spot. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 11: FILLIES & MARES, NW $16,500 LAST 5 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $70,000. AE: NW $100,000 LIFETIME. (3) GRIT N GRACE disappointed as the overwhelming choice in her latest. She has been racing very well and is one that you could probably buy back some value on in this spot. I’ll give her top honors. (1) CAVIAR N CRACKERS worked out a nice trip in her latest but just missed out to a determined rival. She draws the rail and will be a threat late in the mile; using. (7) SHES GOT IT ALL is coming off a gate to wire, qualifying score. She fended off a pocket sitter in her latest and could be sitting on a good effort if she’s at her best. (6) CHIEFS DREAM GIRL showed some good pace in her latest. She hasn’t been much of a factor at this level as of late but is one that could pick up the pieces if the race falls apart. Race 12: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 2 RACES OR $38,500 LIFETIME. (2) HONOLULU VACATION was aggressively handled in his latest try despite drawing outside. He made a couple of moves in the process and tired late in the stretch. He draws better now and that effort should bode well coming into this finale. (7) BEN LOOKIN has shown some good late speed at the end of his miles as of late. He has hit the board in 2 of his last 3 and is one that will be tough to fend off late if he’s within range. (8) ROSE RUN AJAY was a tripped out winner in his latest and is coming off back to back scores. He’s shown improvement over his last couple of starts and is one that has shown he could be a threat with the right trip. (1) FOUR BY FOUR was picked off by the one above in his latest. It was a much improved effort from his first start of 2025 and should be able to hit the ticket. (10) TRINIDAD is coming off back-to-back, runner-up finishes. He draws outside and will need to work a bit harder to get involved early, but he should have every chance to land somewhere on the Hi-5.