CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 222-69-37-30 / $366.30 (-$77.70) BEST BETS: 16-6-4-1 / $31.00 (-$1.00) SPOT PLAYS: 15-3-2-4 / $18.00 (-$12.00) BEST BET: CHAMPAGNE PROBLEMS (10th) SPOT PLAY: IT’S MY SHOW (8th) Race 1: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73) or less - Pick 5 (5) MANSERTIVE was sitting last on the rim a week ago while chasing slow fractions and couldn’t gain any spots despite a 27-second final quarter. Four-year-old gets to drop a level on the TM scale tonight and seems to have found a nice spot. (8) SPIRIT OF TRUTH certainly has the early speed to make the front and in theory the form to win, even if he has a bit of seconditis lately. (2) LAZARULS went a huge mile parked every step last time. As nice as the performance was, this guy hasn’t won in two years. (9) SUNSHINE’S FINEST gets a nice driver change tonight and fits on paper, but this barn is 0-for-6 in June and 1-for-15 since May 1. (7) RAPTORS FLIGHT N and (4) BIONIC were convincing winners last time down in class and both get driver enhancements as well. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: Trackmaster 77.5 (NW L2 79.5 – NW 1 since 7/13/24 80.81) or less While (4) LOORRIM LAKE A may look sketchy on paper, there are some things to like. He closed in 27 4/5 with no shot at Yonkers last time, was wiped out the start prior, returns here at a reduced level, and was Bartlett’s choice of three horses. (5) VICTORY JOE may’ve had a great trip and just missed last time, but he did finish in 26 2/5 on the end of a 1:51 3/5 mile. (8) IKNOWBETTER blew away cheaper two starts back on this track and then was an also-ran at Yonkers. Maybe he simply prefers the big track. Race 3: Non-winners $12,500 (NW L2 $14,000) in last 5 or 9 races (NW L2 10) life/TM 88 (NW 2L3 90) or less - Survivor 7 (6) LYONS STEEL sat a nice trip but wound up locked in the pocket last time. I’m not sure he was loaded with pace but certainly he would’ve done better than fourth. He’s one of only two horses in this field to actually have a win in this class in 2025. (4) CAPTAIN CRUSADER A parlayed a win versus lesser into missing by only a neck last time versus the classy South Beach Star; clear win player. (8) MAXIM HANOVER comes back to town from Pocono where he was seemingly second every week. He’s got a 4-1-2-1 record here in NW12500 in 2025. (1) ROCKIN ON VENUS has speed and decent form. If he trips-out and finds clearance a win is certainly possible. Race 4: $114,500 Six Pack Mare Trot (7) CALL ME GOO sat a nice trip in the Armbro Flight but (3) DIAL SQUARE S got the jump on her and there was nothing she could do to get there in the deep stretch sprint. Tonight I see Svanstedt gunning her to the top and with more than half the field coming from his barn, I’m not sure he’s going to be pushed too hard. The latter is perfect in three starts since coming to North America and is clearly the one to beat. That said, I don’t think she’s worth the likely 3-5 off odds. (4) NELSONBRITEEAGLE NO has just been steady in her two 2025 starts and hasn’t raced in 21 days due to the scratch last time. Despite those negatives, she’s going to be a nice price and we’ve seen her pop some big miles in the past. Race 5: Reynolds Memorial for 3YO C&G Trotters (5) MOUNTCASTLE came up with a big mile two starts back and then was a victim of a very slow pace for this group last time when he came home in 27 seconds and made up just modest ground. The price should be right here to take a shot. (9) GO DOG GO is the best horse in the race for my money, but you have to wonder how hard he’ll be pushed from post nine after three weeks off when the ultimate goals are down the road. I certainly respect his chances and would use him at 2-1 or higher. (2) TOP GUN HANOVER has been good since adding hobbles and he was locked in the pocket last time with perhaps a bit more left in the tank. Is he overbet off that troubled trip? (1) MR MOUTON saved ground until the stretch in his 2025 debut and when unleashed boy did he fly him full of trot. There could be some talent here but I’d want north of 5-1 to try him. Race 6: $86,500 Dave Brower Memorial Open Pace - $50K GTD Pick 4 (8) KEN HANOVER is arguably the best older pacer in the sport right now depending on how you want to rank them. He comes into this event on a four race winning streak and you have to like that he can win from on or off the pace. (3) ABUCKABETT HANOVER was a bit unlucky in the Gold Cup that the half came up in just 54 4/5 because that meant his 52 and change back half wasn’t going to be enough for him to have a shot at the top spot. Will Dunn get more aggressive here? I think yes. (4) SPRING INHIS STEP A has big early speed and plenty of form. I don’t love him on the win end but he is an exotics must. Race 7: Reynolds Memorial for 3YO C&G Trotters (7) NORDIC CATCHER S left from post nine, sat the pocket and roared past the leader while holding off a late charge from Mr Mouton in his first start of the year. Any improvement would make him tough in a field that came up the softer of the two divisions. (3) TRAVOLTA HANOVER was parked most of the mile in the NJSS final outside of a brief tuck at the quarter. All in all it was a solid mile and he’s another contender if he can step forward in terms of time. (9) GAP KRONOS S got some equipment changes in the Goodtimes and responded with a solid second behind perhaps the best 3-year-old trotter in the sport. In theory he should be 3-5 in here, and quite frankly he may be given the driver change; respect. (4) BLANK lured Dunn off #3 and #5 so there must be something to that. I’ll be taking a close look at him in the score-down. Race 8: $86,500 Dave Brower Memorial Open Pace - Pick 6 (2) IT’S MY SHOW sat last and finished up his mile willingly in his first start of the year. From this post he should be able to be patient again and hook onto cover at a price. I’ll take a shot even though I know there is a chance (7) BYTHEMISSAL could blow the doors off the field if he’s feeling good. The now 6-year-old just missed the all-age track record at Scioto in his last start and will be difficult to beat if he brings that same performance here. (3) MAXIMUS MIKI has won two straight in slightly softer spots. He has yet to prove he’s stakes-level but he certainly has speed and is a very game racehorse. Race 9: $164,000 Crawford Farms Trot After much consideration I’m going to try (4) GET A WISH DK to pull off the upset since many people will jump off the bandwagon after foolishly betting him down to favoritism status last weekend. During that race he was used to the front and faced immediate pressure before stopping in his first start after a three week absence. His prior efforts were fine and I’m not willing to give up on him yet, especially if Svanstedt decides to remove the shoes. I’ll be checking the crawl on the bottom of the screen. (3) PERICULUM is clearly the one to beat and while he hasn’t been in a competitive event since May 17, there is no reason to believe he won’t be ready. I wonder what type of trip he’ll get with speed to his outside and lesser contenders on his inside. (9) LEXUS KODY has been racing so well of late and he’ll be at least a distant third choice here; worth consideration. (6) AETOS KRONOS S is going to battle for favoritism here and I’m not sure I want him at that price. Does he show early speed in this spot and potentially face pressure from #7 and #9? Does he race from behind and have too many to pass? He’s going to have to work harder tonight than any of his previous races. I’m going to fade him and hope for the best. Race 10: Reynolds Memorial for 3YO Filly Trotters - $50K GTD Pick 4 I’ve been patiently waiting for the right spot where the competition level and price will meet on (9) CHAMPAGNE PROBLEMS and this is it. She had a brutal trip last time against a much better field after Dunn floated away from the gate with her and couldn’t find a seat. Ultimately she broke late in the stretch after the long mile. Tonight I expect to see him be more aggressive with her at the start. (3) MARGARETA HANOVER chased very slow fractions from fifth in her 2025 unveiling and really had no chance late despite sprinting home in 26 4/5. Improvement is very possible in her second start, especially with Gingras joining the team. (7) YO TILLIE was sharp in her first start of the year and won her qualifier very easily. She may be the best filly in the field but I’m not convinced she’ll be pushed hard this week having no races since May 17. Race 11: $116,500 Perfect Sting Mare Pace (3) TWIN B JOE FRESH has been on the track twice this year and absolutely destroyed her competition both times. Reigning Horse of the Year would need to have an “off” day to lose. (1) SYLVIA HANOVER has displayed a new dimension this year as a 5-year-old by displayed the ability to show speed at both ends of the mile. I’m sure Tetrick will hustle her away to ensure good position. (2) MY GIRL EJ and (4) ROCKET DEO are both quality 4-year-olds capable of going a big mile and they add Lasix. Race 12: Reynolds Memorial for 3YO Filly Trotters While there are many talented fillies in this field, I’m going to stick with the one that keeps on winning. (2) CONVERSANO has used a quick burst of speed to win two straight races and four of five on the year. She’s been the most reliable so far this year but almost any of these could step up. (5) DEJA BLU was too far back in the NJSS final and could only pick up a minor award despite a 26 3/5 final quarter. The amount of potential early speed in here could set her up nicely. (8) KADENA is one of the early speed players but she has the advantage of being on the far outside so driver Dexter Dunn can make the best determination on whether he can fire out or not. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 13: Trackmaster 83.5 (NW 2L4 85.5) or less (1) BOSTON BOUND looks like a private purchase here as this guy moves into a high percentage barn and seems to land in a good spot as those Saratoga races were pretty strong. Notice he’s done good work on the big track at Mohawk. (7) BOBCAT BAY can fire off the gate and seems likely to do so again tonight. He’s a clear win candidate. (5) MCWICKED TIME took advantage of a fast pace and set a career-best mile last time in just his second start for these connections. If he can repeat that mile a win is certainly possible. Race 14: Trackmaster 74.5 (NW L2 76.5) or less (4) NATIONAL SPORT had some pace on the end of his mile last time. He drops a notch on the Trackmaster scale tonight and might just find early speed. His class will show versus these. (7) JOJO’S PLACE woke up nicely on the barn change; clear threat with Beckwith choosing here over the top pick. (5) DO WHAT U DO had pace at both ends of the mile last weekend. (1) GEMINI EXPRESS steps up off an easy win. Past history says he’s capable versus this group.