CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 112-36-16-14 / $200.60 (-$23.40) BEST BETS: 8-4-2-0 / $24.00 (+$8.00) SPOT PLAYS: 7-1-1-4 / $4.80 (-$9.20) BEST BET: MARCUS SEELSTER (3rd) SPOT PLAY: VOUKEFALAS (9th) Race 1: Trackmaster 74.5 (NW 2L4 76.67) or less Series - Pick 5 (3) OREGON TRAIL was here two starts back in this class and had absolutely no shot after they went a 57 half with him sitting last. Last time he was again out of it from an outside post at Saratoga. He’s going to be in play this week in a field with plenty of dull-looking horses. (7) RAPTORS FLIGHT N got a tour of the track from post 10 in his first start since December. If he’s ready to roll now than this field is in trouble. (2) ENIMEN HANOVER has plenty of good angles with class and post relief. That said, his final quarters don’t indicate he’s in good enough form to beat anyone; mixed feelings. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: Trackmaster 68 (NW 2L4 70.63) or less (3) FEARLESS FURY drops, draws better and sheds the trainer from the bike. There are many things to like with this guy against a field that doesn’t like to win. (4) BIG BAD BILL hasn’t done much but this may be the softest group he’s faced. Notice the barn has won almost as many races this meet as the rest of the trainers combined. (7) GOTTA MINUTE N fell to this condition last time and was a decent third; capable on best. Race 3: Trackmaster 77.5 (NW 2L3 79.80) or less Series – Survivor 7 (5) MARCUS SEELSTER exits the amateur series where he’s been doing some good work and seems to land in a great spot here. Veteran pacer should head to the front and control the race in this short field. (1) FERRAGAMO HANOVER drops to the level of his last win and is very dangerous on the win end. (6) LITE N SWEET would be very competitive here on his best. In his current form I’m not sure we can use him on top. Race 4: Non-winners $5,000 (NW L2 $5,500) in last 4/Starters NW3000 or less/NW2 in 2024-25 (2) DEAN B HANOVER was used from the outside post last time versus better and faded some in the lane. This is a much better spot where he can be more patient and pounce. (6) JK BLACK GOLD was caught in some fast miles when last here and you have to like that he is off a confidence building win. (1) HANDLELIKEAPORSCHE could try to air it out on the engine this week with inside position and a short field. Race 5: Non-winners $12,500 (NW L2 $14,500) in last 5/TM 88 (NW L2 90) or less/$50K GTD Pick 4 (6) ROCKIN ON VENUS lacked the same edge last time as he showed here two starts back. In a field that seems to lack an abundance of early speed, perhaps this guy can take charge and get a winning position. (2) CAPTAIN CRUSADER A is probably the horse to beat on paper and I’d be surprised if he wasn’t sent towards the front. (5) DANCE PARTNER is the sharpest horse in the field. While this looks like a class drop it is really more of a lateral move. Race 6: Trackmaster 74.5 (NW 2L4 76.67) or less Series (3) SELECT FRIDAY is razor sharp right now and almost climbed the condition ladder for the third straight week when coming up a nose shy. He drops back down now and figures to take control of the race. (2) BLUEBIRD TIME exits an amateur race and reunites with a catch driver. Tetrick won with him two starts back. (7) IMINURBLINDSPOT could be showing early speed here and if he can land a seat without working too hard an exotic finish is well within reach. Race 7: Trackmaster 80.5 (NW L2 82.5) or less - Pick 6 Let’s take a flyer here with a horse that seems off form. (7) ALTA BLUES N owns a string of off the board finishes and I’d argue that he’s either been in bad spots or had bad posts. When on his game he’s as fast as any in here and you know he won’t get into too much trouble with just six foes. (1) ROCKIN THE ACES should be firing out and could very well control the action. (2) HOOSIER CELEBRITY left and chased home for third last time in this class. He should stick close here. Race 8: Trackmaster 83.5 (NW 2L4 85.5) or less (9) BOBCAT BAY lands in a soft TM83 and if Stratton feels motivated he could certainly fire to the front and place his horse in position to pick up a win. (5) TOTO HANOVER seems to be coming off a dull line but his night was over when the half came up in 56 seconds. A 26 3/5 final quarter says he’s still sharp. (3) FENDI HANOVER is up in class but razor sharp. He’ll need to go faster to win but an exotics slot is very much in play. Race 9: Open Pace - $50K GTD Pick 4 (3) VOUKEFALAS has put in two nice races to start his 5-year-old season and last time he really had no shot given the fractions. Tonight he lands in a great position to either sit just off the pace or charge off the gate and set the fractions. (2) SABONIS comes out of a qualifier that was so good you would think he’s going to go undefeated this year. While that is unlikely, I’d be shocked if he wasn’t 3-5 and he has to prove he’s worth those odds in a race first. (5) MAXIMUS MIKI had some misfortune in his first start of the year but don’t be shocked if he turns it around in a hurry. Race 10: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73.07) or less (6) LOCKDOWN LOUIE N rolled in this class three starts back and kept his form nicely in the TM74 condition. He’s back in TM71 with McCarthy in the bike and should be heading to the top again. (7) LATEST ERA found his form since coming her a few starts back; needs pace help. (5) SAN JOSE is the other logical early speed player in the field and it is logical to assume he could be sitting pretty in the pocket behind the top pick. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 11: Trackmaster 77.5 (NW 2L3 79.80) or less Series This is probably the most difficult race on the card as almost any of these can win. (3) ON THE MONEY GB came up big when last here to the tune of a 1:51 3/5 win. He was certainly tightened up on Tuesday at Yonkers and should be ready to fire a big shot. (1) KNEEDEEP N CUSTARD figures to show early speed and he can chase another leaver with the best of them. (4) LMC PEANUTS WATCHN scored upon arrival and there is no reason to believe he can’t build on that effort in his second start back from a two month break. Race 12: Non-winners 2 (NW L2 or 3YO 3) races life (4) T H TYSON drops back into a straight NW2 where he went a tough trip and missed by just a nose on April 19. As long as Ryder works out a reasonable trip he should have a big shot. (2) LAUGH STOP has put up back to back 1:50 miles in defeat; clear player in here. (7) KNOCKOUT ROUND was just ok in his morning efforts but there is ability here and I wouldn’t be shocked if he raced very well and even won.