2025 MEET STATS: 106 - 342 / $660.10 (-$23.90) BEST BETS: 18 - 32 / $64.00 (+$0.00) BEST BET: VENTURESOME ARDEN N (10th) SPOT PLAY: HELLABALOU (2nd) Race 1: $40,000 Claiming Pace (3) TWO FACED seemed to find life a bit too tough at the $50K claiming level so he drops back down to $40's where he may be claim-bait but is more properly classified. 0 for 12 so far this year but always competitive and just needs a smooth trip. (5) TUFFENUFTOWEARPINK was a solid second last week at a big price after leaving well and securing the pocket. Similar effort puts him right there. (2) MULLINAX also drops from the $50's and he's raced well all season. Chance to sit close up and pick up a share at a decent price. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: MGM Borgata Pacing Series leg #4 (4) HELLABALOU hasn't made an impact at all in the series and I thought last week the 2x champ would be looking to get more aggressive in the early stages. With a post edge on the patented speedster in here and not a ton of speed Gingras inside should be looking to fire off the gate. (2) AARDIES FLASH N has a win and a second so far in the series and has been a price in every leg. Tonight he's likely to go off the favorite, and deservedly so. (6) CHASE H HANOVER is as consistent as they come and can fire off the gate. Obviously the less he's roughed up the better the chance of winning. Race 3: MGM Borgata Pacing Series leg #4 (5) MOSSDALE BEN N tasted defeat last week for the first time since arriving in the U.S. and it took the razor-sharp Coaches Corner to beat him. So far through his six wins the lack of early speed hasn't handicapped him at all so I expect him to roll late again and get it done. (2) WHY NOT NOW has raced well through the series finishing third in all the prelims so far and from this good post he figures to be right there again. (3) CHARLIE MAY has also given a good accounting of himself through the series and the veteran will offer a price tonight with the capable Ron Cushing taking the lines. Race 4: $40,000 Claiming Pace (2) ILIKEMEBETTOR A dropped back down last week to the level of his last two wins but failed to fire trying to make up ground in a race benefitting the frontrunners. Tonight's race doesn't figure to go as fast and with the post edge he gets the call. (4) MACH N CHEESE has been much improved in his last two with Bartlett in the bike and he drives again. (7) MIND HUNTER draws worst in return to the Adamczyk barn but he's shown speed from outside posts in the past; Yannick drives. Race 5: 3-6YO $30,000 Claiming Pace (1) LYONS BENJAMIN dropped and popped (more like dominated) three back then was stuck with the seven and eight holes in his last two races. Look at the posts he's had in his last five starts at this level! Bongiorno 4YO moves all the way in to the rail for a crack at a rare good post. (5) IDEAL PAR wasn't bad at all in his debut at this level and could have more to offer making just his third start as a 4YO. (4) RICARDOSHILYSHALLY looks for three straight since the Engblom claim and his main man is in the bike again; probably overbet. Race 6: NW35201 in last 5 starts Pace (6) ENDOFSTORY finished with pace after taking a conservative approach in his first start off the bench. Will we see a little more tonight? (4) NANDOLO N is down in class, back with Bartlett and with an improved post where he'll be able to reach. That's three checkmarks. (3) HEZ ALLTHE RAGE N finds a more competitive spot here and figures to be handled accordingly. Race 7: MGM Borgata Pacing Series leg #4 (2) VERDUN just keeps rolling along and the claim of the millennium by Lachance lands inside of most of his competition tonight; legit chance to take win number three in four Borgata tries. (1) HEMSWORTH N was right there in his last two but couldn't polish it off; draws another favorable post. (6) HUNTINTHELASTDOLAR is a head shy of being perfect in the series. How does Bartlett approach things from the worst post tonight? Race 8: MGM Borgata Pacing Series leg #4 (6) COACHES CORNER has picked up right where he left off in 2024 and after last week's 1:50 4/5 win the outside post may not stop him from taking a third straight. What a nice horse! (3) FOR ONCE INMY LIFE took last week off after winning the first two legs. These top two may line up without too much resistance. (4) HUMBLE A has been just 'okay' in two starts after moving to the DiDomenico barn. Maybe Tetrick looks to mix things up early, at least to find a three hole, Race 9: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace (5) SOHO FIRESTONE A took the money as expected in his U.S. debut and gave it a solid try in defeat, home in :27 flat to miss by a neck. Import deserves top billing off that effort. (2) COVERED BRIDGE is back inside so he figures to be more involved. (8) ROCK DIAMONDS N has just one win this year but has hit the ticket in 7 of 9. Stuck in the eight hole but has proven early speed. Race 10: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace (4) VENTURESOME ARDEN N was a bit of a fringe player heading into the Borgata then he landed in three tough spots but to his credit he made money in two of them. Bucci trainee plunges into a much softer spot and should have his way with these. (3) JANELLE GRANNY was overmatched in stakes competition, also drops and figures to be much more competitive. (2) LUCAPELO A has been decent since the $50K claim and should land a nice piece from this inside post. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 11: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace (7) DIEGO N is the latest import from Down Under and the Pete Tritton trainee was a big earner throughout his career. Qualifier was fine and I'll look for Stratton to get him in play right off the bat. There's no will-pays to examine here but I'll assume he takes his share of money and that could hint at how live he is. (4) BONDI LOCKDOWN A faces softer and picks up Bartlett; room for improvement. (1) ULTIMAROCA has speed from the rail and looks like a clear contender. Race 12: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace (3) ORLANDO BLUE A has been a disaster since being claimed by these connections but he tries a new driver here in A. Nap and drops again in class. Maybe worth a try at a price. (2) SLING SHOCK has raced well in his last few without a win to show for it and the Vallee trainee lands a comfortable post here in a softer field. Missed time is a concern, however. (5) SANTANA HANOVER clearly finds the best spot he's seen this year and picks up the leading driver but he's likely to be overbet considering his lack of current form. [DRF HARNESS: Follow me on X! @drfharnessmatt]