Top Pick Stats: 352 - 1049 / $1982.00 (-$116.00) Best Bets: 53 - 99 / $173.20 (-$24.80) Spot Plays: 22 - 96 / $217.50 (+$25.50) Best Bet: ST LADS CRIMINAL (12TH) Spot Play: CHILLINONTHEBEACH (2ND) Early Pick 5: 4,5,9/2,3,6,7/5,7/2,5/3,6,8 = $28.80 Late Pick 5: 3/2,3,7/1,8/1,2,5/1,5,6 = $10.80 Early Pick 4: 2,5/3,6,8/3/2,3,7 = $3.50 Late Pick 4: 1,2,5/1,5,6/1,4/5,7 = $7.20 Race 1: NW $15,850 L5 NW $27,000 L10 AE: NW1 in 2024 **Gtd. $100,000 Pick 5** This looks like a race that will set up for a stalker and (5) CODENAME CIGAR BOX draws well to work out a good trip in the flow. I’ll give him the nod to notch an upset to kick off the early Pick 5. (9) CONTROL HEAVEN will no doubt be sent here making a drop from the Preferred 2. There are others in here that like to blast too which makes me think he might get softened up. (4) THE GREEK FREAK is another stalking type that could appear on the scene late with fresh legs; using. (3) UNCLE SHANK A laid down some big fractions in two straight and Borth stuck with him over the #9 horse. He will likely pepper the pace again. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: ONTARIO SIRES STAKES GOLD LEG 1: 2 YEAR OLD PACING FILLIES (7) CHILLINONTHEBEACH paced a 26-flat kicker in her qualifier on 6/28 finishing her mile with the whip over teamster Young’s shoulder and the lines tight. She gets McNair for this debut and I’m going to go price shopping with her. (2) WICKED N SINGLE produced an impressive closing kick to win her debut and she is the one to fend off in her first Gold race. $17K Harrisburg buy (3) DEE looks typically well prepped by Doc Moore for this debut and she looks like a speed threat; using. (6) ROVERS RETURN fired a big kicker and the Millar Farms homebred gets Allard in the bike with Macdonald at the Meadowlands. She is another in with a shot in a competitive Gold tilt. [DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Mohawk Park card at DRF Bets.com!] Race 3: 5YO & younger winners of 2 but not more than 4 or $45,000 LT (5) TROPHY TAKER gets back on the big track where he does his best work. He is better racing off a helmet and that is the trip he will likely get here. I’ll stick with him expecting a good price. (7) WIKIPEDIA took a new life’s mark two starts back then followed that up with a narrow Gold loss in Ottawa where he beat the choice and was absolutely flying late. He is the obvious danger. (2) CHALK HANOVER almost couldn’t lose his last race considering the setup he got, but he is in great form and he can be a threat here, too. (1) ALWAYS A THRILL raced much better in his last two starts. He can take another share here likely racing from close range. Race 4: ONTARIO SIRES STAKES GOLD LEG 1: 2 YEAR OLD PACING FILLIES - Pick 4 Mirage Hanover’s full-sister (5) MILLIE MAY HANOVER, a $300K Harrisburg buy, has done enough in her qualifiers to suggest that trainer Harris has her ready to fly on debut; top call. (2) ONEFORMYBABY is another in a long line of Millar Farms homebreds that looks fast early. She should be a speed threat here on debut. (7) WICKEDPACE has the fastest time on the page and that counts for something, but I’m inclined to try to beat her here. (1) FAMOUS FAST WORDS looked like a short or sick horse in the lane last time. She should bounce back with a better effort. Race 5: Horses that have started for a purse of $15K or less in 1 of L3 (6) HP LIS SHADOW was bet like he couldn’t lose last week, and he was raced aggressively but got picked off by the rival that rode his cover. He returns much quicker now and he will likely offer a better price tonight; top call. (8) CODE CRACKER is in easier tonight, and we are likely to see an effort similar to the one three starts back where he jogged; using. (3) TYPHOON STRIDE N is another that should bounce back in this spot. He is worth a look for multi-race tickets. (2) ROCKME ROLLME dropped and popped for his second win of the year now faces a bit tougher. I’ll use him underneath this time. Race 6: ONTARIO SIRES STAKES: GOLD MID-SEASON FINAL: 3 YEAR OLD TROTTING FILLIES - Pick 5 Here we go again with another meeting of (3) WILLYS HOME RUN and much improved (6) R LIZA. I think the former was best last time, hindered by pace and trip. She gets McNair now, so a more aggressive steer is likely coming. I’ll give her the nod tonight. (1) P L RAINBOW DASH should get a better start tonight and that can facilitate her getting a spot in the Tri. (2) VALUABLE MISS woke up to beat NW2 and she is worth a look for the bottom of the exotics. Race 7: F&M NW $14,100 L5 or $29,600 L10 AE: NW $100,000 LT (7) SHES GOT IT ALL was an easy winner last time she raced this low on 6/8 and she stacks up well vs. these. She should be tough racing on or near the lead. (2) LADYCORONA is in peak form now and the mare that beat her last week raced in the top class here last night. She figures to be the main threat to the choice. (3) BLUEMEA KISS was given an easy trip last start after getting cooked in a speed duel two starts back. Her 54-flat back 1/2 shows she is still sharp, and she can take a share here. (4) FLIGHT CREW N steps up off a nice win and she can be part of the exotics despite the class rise. Race 8: NW $9,100 L5 or $16,500 L10 AE: N/A $1,465 P/S IN 2024 (1) POINTS NORTH gets class and post relief tonight and I expect Drury to put him into action early ad try to control the race; top call. (8) FLYINGEVENBETTOR N raced well two starts in a row, but he was out of position last week after starting from the same post 8. My gut tells me McNair will leave with him this time and he is the other one that I’m going to use in the late Pick 5. (2) SOUTHWIND SAMBUCCA raced better last week, and he draws much better here. He is a possible upsetter. (3) RESPECT OUR FLAG drops and he should be part of the exotics vs. these. Race 9: PREFERRED - Pick 4 (5) WHICHWAYTOTHEBEACH is in peak form, and he is perfectly drawn to work out another good trip racing on or near the lead; call to repeat. (2) BLUE HUNT steps up off an impressive and fast win. He is capable of sustained big speed, and he will likely be the one to catch turning for home. (1) WRITE ME A ROSE benefits from the short field here as he can’t be racing eighth at the 3/4 pole. I could see him turning the tables tonight; using. (3) SAULSBROOK VICTOR stole a cheap 3/4 but he was no match for the choice late. I’ll use him underneath tonight. Race 10: Winners of 4 but not more than 6 or $80,000 LT (6) LEAVE IT TO LEO comes off a game winning effort and lines up against some stakes colts here that might not have the same objective as him; call to repeat. (1) SERGEANT SLAUGHTER floated out, made front once the dust settled, was shuffled to third after two leadership changes, then got off the rail at the 3/4 and circled dead cover to get 3rd. Not much went right for him last week but he was still game. He could do here if he gets a better trip. (5) STORM SHADOW took his first win of the year in a Gold race in Ottawa, hitting the wire just in time as a rival was flying late. He has the class and speed to win here, but he obviously has bigger dances left of his card. I’d be careful here. (3) BETTOR B SIRIUS is one of the rivals that took a turn on the front in that race and he stayed for 2nd in a good effort. He should be in the exotics mix again.   [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 11: NW $20,000 L5 or $37,000 L8 (4) P L OZZY paced a 26 1/5 third 1/4 last week to hit the 3/4 under 1:21 and he still almost lasted. He can win here if he gets a slightly easier trip. (1) JABBERWOCKY isn’t known for passing horses late in the mile but he bucked that trend last week when he came back to nail the choice who looked a sure winner at the head of the lane. He will offer a good price here and I’ll use him in the late Pick 4. (8) AMERICAN HISTORY stacks up well in this field, but he will likely be trying to pass them all, which won’t be an easy feat; using underneath. (5) EMMETTS BUDDY is always in the hunt and he should be part of the Tri or Super here. Race 12: 5YO and younger NW2 or $30,000 LT (7) ST LADS CRIMINAL has won 11 of his 14 starts and he steps into the deep end tonight, but he has been terrific taking three wins in a row at Grand River and he might be up to it; slight nod. (5) UNRIVALED HANOVER gets to face a NW2 field after having a steady diet of stakes so far this year. He should be a big threat in this spot coming in off a good Gold effort. (3) BEST NIGHT EVER was close at this level two starts back and he figures to close for a good share in this spot. (1) LIKE A GLOVE drops out of Golds and adds Lasix but he has missed more than a month. With that stale date, I’ll use him on the bottom. (10) ALRITEALRITEALRITE needed Monday’s start. He fired home in 26 1/5 and I can see him passing some of these late to land in the High-5.