2025 MEET STATS: 88 - 286 / $511.70 (-$60.30) BEST BETS: 14 - 27 / $44.40 (-$9.60) BEST BET: CURBSIDE PICKUP (2nd) SPOT PLAY: HOWLENTHEHILLS (10th) Race 1: $40,000 Claiming Pace (5) SCRIBBLERS is back with $40K claimers, a level he dominated in back-to-back starts last month. He was aggressively handled in both of those efforts by Gingras and I hope for more of the same tonight. (1) JUSTASEC N never offered a rally in his local return but he moves from the seven hole all the way to the rail and that should help immensely. (4) KOPI LUWAK has raced well in all four starts since being claimed by the Stratton barn with a win and three runner-up efforts; looks like a legit off-the-pace threat again. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: $50,000 Claiming Pace (2) CURBSIDE PICKUP has been stymied by poor posts in his last three races so he finally moves inside, also drops a level and returns to the catch-driving Bartlett, who won five in a row with this guy earlier this season. (4) DEETZY trailed throughout last week but the ageless wonder has been sharp in all prior contests.  (3) RENAISSANCE DEO has hit the board in five of his last seven races. Race 3: $40,000 Claiming Pace (1) CENTURY ENDEAVOR won comfortably on the front end last week and now lands the rail facing similar; Holland’s choice has a big chance to repeat. (2) MACH N CHEESE was an improved second last out with Bartlett added and he drives again from a good post. (6) SAULSBROOK HERO has won four of five and that lone defeat in between he lost by a nose. Faces a tougher task tonight facing better from an outside post. Race 4: MGM Borgata Pacing Series Leg #3 (6) HELLABALOU needs to earn more than just participation points so maybe Gingras takes a shot firing off the gate and if he can clear the field he can get it done at a price. Or, maybe not. (2) DESPERATE MAN has failed at odds-on in both 2025 tries and probably assumes the role of favorite again. (4) VERDUN was outfinished last week but it still was a valiant effort; Lachance trainee is 7 for 7 on the board this year. Race 5: 3-6YO $30,000 Claiming Pace (2) THAT DOG WILL HUNT bumped up in class last week (which ended the endless parade of claims) and proved that he belongs at the $30K level. Post edge here on most of his rivals can get him over the top. (6) TWIGGS PUB has one subpar effort two back but every other race at this level has been good; threat for live connections. (1) CAPTAIN T HANOVER moves to the Stratton barn via claim and will look to revert to his form from three back when he jogged. Race 6: MGM Borgata Pacing Series Leg #3 (3) HEMSWORTH N is always good for some live efforts in Borgata legs (he was the consolation winner in 2023) and finds a good spot here in a softer split. (2) ACT FAST was a bit better last week after he stopped in round one. (4) HIMSELF was scratched sick in the first leg and raced okay last week for a share; Bartlett drives and he could be a bit tighter tonight. Race 7: MGM Borgata Pacing Series Leg #3 (1) BINGE ON YANKEE surprised many when he speed-popped the field in round one from the seven hole. Last week he chased evenly in a fast division. This looks like a better spot with the heavy hitters drawn outside. (5) HUNTINTHELASTDOLAR has been solid thus far with a win and narrow second in the series but he had the benefit of the rail; Engblom trainee figures to have to work harder from this spot. (7) CHARLIE MAY may be done in by the post but he deserves to be respected; Dave Miller drives again. Race 8: MGM Borgata Pacing Series Leg #3 (2) MOSSDALE BEN N has passed every test so far with flying colors and though the only thing he hasn’t shown us is early speed but Jordan Stratton was recently quoted as saying he could leave the gate if asked to. Slight call over (4) COACHES CORNER, who was a pocket rocket last week after being a sharp second in round one. (1) WHY NOT NOW has been encouraging so far with two board finishes after uncertainty with whether he could compete at this level. Race 9: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace (2) SHAZAM BLUE CHIP has been shut out of the win column through eight tries this year but has potential controlling speed from a good post while facing some equally camera-shy rivals. (5) HAZEVILLE raced well for second last week from a similar spot. (8) TICKERTAPE HANOVER cleared the front from the eight hole two races back; maybe Kakaley gets aggressive to get this gelding into contention. Race 10: 3-6YO Open Pace (4) HOWLENTHEHILLS was in a tough spot to make his 4YO debut but now he gets to face an age-restricted field that should be better to his liking and the Alexander trainee figures to be a player. (7) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A is assigned outside as he looks for his fourth straight Open/Invite score; figures to be forwardly placed again like he has every prior start. (2) HEZ ALL THE RAGE N gets the best of the ‘2 thru 6’ draw and seems perfectly capable of staying close up to land a piece. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 11: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace (1) THE IDEAL DANCER A drops back to the level of his last two dominating wins and he lands the rail to boot. Drawing said rail gives Bartlett tactical options and I do expect him to be cutting the mile. (3) QUALITY BUD has come home in under 28 seconds in his last four races with the last two in a sharp :27 1/5. He faces an uncertain trip but if it works out well he’ll be motoring late. (6) ROCK DIAMONDS N has just one win on the season after 15 tallies last year and his early speed always makes him dangerous. Race 12: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace We have another fresh import here with (2) SOHO FIRESTONE A, who arrives for the Doug Dilloian barn and drew off in his lone qualifier. Would anyone be surprised if he was ready to roll at first asking? (6) WHATS STANLEY GOT A woke up with a nice eight-hole win on the drop in class; steps back up looking for more. (4) ULTIMAROCA also moves back up after wiring the field as an odds-on chalk.