FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 389-139-56-48 / $710.60 (-$67.40) BEST BETS: 28-13-6-2 / $53.00 (-$3.00) SPOT PLAYS: 27-4-3-8 / $45.20 (-$8.80) BEST BET: CELEBRITY BAMBINO (4th) SPOT PLAY: GAZOO (5th) Race 1: Trackmaster 68 (NW L2 70) or less - Pick 5 (2) SERGEANT WALT was an eight length winner when last at this level two starts back. While he’s far from a lock, especially since Gingras isn’t around to drive, this field isn’t exactly sharp and known for winning often. (9) RAPTORS FLIGHT N drops and certainly has the ability to destroy these, though I’m a bit gun-shy on him with many more seconds and thirds than wins this year. (6) PARKLANE TERROR was also a winner when last at the TM68 level and like the top pick has lost at that condition as well. (3) WARRAWEE XCEED has hit the board in his last three races in this class. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73 – NW1 2023-25 73.52) or less (7) BIONIC gets brave every once in a while and goes down the road. Trainer Michael Shults won’t find a much better spot to try those tactics. (3) LAZARULS has been a bit unlucky in this class with an outside post and some trips on the rim. That said, how excited can you get about a horse that has one win in 48 career races? (1) JUMPING JAKE is winless on the year but has put in some good miles in this class as recently as June. Race 3: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73 – NW1 2023-25 73.52) or less - Survivor 7 (6) AWESOME TIMES TWO is a very sharp horse now that was simply too far back last time to get the job done. He’s back down a level tonight and figures to have a big say in the outcome. (2) SPIRIT OF TRUTH also dips down the class ladder and he came to play with a big mile the last time he was in the TM71 condition. (3) TOUGH LAZ figures to be the longest shot on the board with no career wins and coming off a 10 month break in action. That said, the return qualifier was sharp with a 27 3/5 kicker at Philly. Race 4: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L2 $8,555) in last 4 or 5 races life/TM 83.5 (NW L2 85.5) or less (4) CELEBRITY BAMBINO hasn’t been able to find his form since returning from injury but this seems like it could be a “get well quickly” type spot. It isn’t the softest NW7500 ever but I’d be shocked if he didn’t take charge here. (3) DAIQUIRI HANOVER has been lost as a 4-year-old and the trainer change hasn’t done anything to correct the issues. Perhaps the huge class drop will help, though I don’t feel confident. (6) SUPER DUPER COOPER has some early speed in hi arsenal and is capable of going a good mile. That said, the top two are certainly better if they come to play. Race 5: Trackmaster 80.5 (NW 2L4 82.5) or less - Pick 4 (6) GAZOO flashed early speed in a solid second-place finish in this class last time out. He could get Australian Jack Callaghan into the winner’s circle here for the first time. (2) CAPTAIN MARVEL seems to get handed an outside post or ends up facing tough competition every time he comes to this track. He lands in a good spot this week and has no excuses. (3) FENDI HANOVER has missed a few weeks but has proven capable of stepping up with a big performance in the past. Race 6: Trackmaster 77.5 (NW L2/L8 79.5/79.76) or less (2) CAVEMAN A returns here after a year away. His Hoosier lines haven’t been great. That said, the fast opening quarters and halves on the seven-eighths might be doing him in. I’d give him a shot to awaken. (5) HAGGARD tends to perk up when he drops in class but is far from reliable. (1) MIDNIGHT LIGHTNING dropped his lifetime mark by more than a second at age 13 last weekend. His prior form suggests that maybe he can keep it rolling but a regression is very possible with Dunn not in the bike. (4) VICTORY JOE raced well in this condition for his previous barn; Lasix added. Race 7: Trackmaster 74.5 (NW L2 76.5) or less - Pick 6 (1) RILKOFF has made breaks in two of his last three starts but both of those came on smaller tracks. He romped in a career-best 1:51 1/5 in his lone Big M try and seems likely to revert to that form. (2) NATIONAL SPORT moves back inside and that will make all the difference for this hard-knockin’ overnight campaigner. (4) SONO CONFUSO won at this level two starts back and only needs a reasonable trip to contend. (6) STRAIGHT TALK posted a big rally weaving between horses last week. Still, he’s only got two wins in his last 35 starts. Race 8: Trackmaster 83.5 (NW L2 85.5) or less (7) TEN TOTHE DOZEN A seemed to respond nicely to the addition of Lasix as he scooted home in 26 3/5 for the victory on August 1. Five-year-old has the early speed to get involved and is proven capable on the big track. (8) BOBCAT BAY is a proven commodity at this level and a horse that owns a big burst of early speed. (2) MIDNIGHT NATION steps up off consecutive wins for a barn that has been hot lately. Race 9: Non-winners $12,500 (NW L2 $14,000) in last 5/TM 88 (NW L2 90) or less - Pick 4 (5) IT’S MY SHOW had some sort of an issue in the Brower as he’s too good of a horse to lose by 20 lengths without a legitimate excuse. Since then he’s been rather even while starting from outside posts against much, much better than he takes on tonight. I’m expecting a down-the-road victory but my confidence level isn’t extremely high. (6) NO CONTROL only finished sixth but probably put in his best effort in a while last time. This is a fast horse when right. (3) TRICKY MIKI A was last seen in a Group 1 in Australia, since this is a decent horse. His qualifier was decent might he may need a start to get up to speed. Race 10: Winners 2-4 (NW L2 or 3YO 5) races or $50,000 (NW L2 $60,000) life (4) CHRISTOPHER DANCE N was a Group 1 winner in November last year back in Australia. The qualifier was sharp, though he did seem to be slowing down in the final steps before the wire. Maybe that means we get an equipment change tonight or they wait with him to move to the front. (1) WORLD OF WISHES has been a fairly consistent performer all year but just isn’t a stakes horse. His best goes with this crew. (6) BEACH CLUB MONTY was going along nicely but didn’t exactly race well last time after missing seven weeks; more tonight? [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 11: Non-winners 2 (NW L2 3) races or $20,000 (NW L2 $30,000) life/ Maidens draw inside (3) TWIN FURY lays over this field on paper and should control it from start to finish. (5) ODDS ON BROWARD displayed promise at one time and is a horse that can save ground and pounce under the right circumstances. (6) INTERSTATEDAYDREAM has missed more than four weeks but did put in some good June miles at Philly. Race 12: Trackmaster 68 (NW L2 70) or less (8) AYR PIONEER GB comes in from Tioga off a good mile to face a field without any form. Veteran is tied for the most wins this year of the field and has multiple wins over the track over the last couple of years. (2) MOONWARDS HANOVER really hasn’t been awful lately and despite owning no wins in 2025, he has hit the board nine times. (3) COLE ON THE BEACH moves to the inside of the gate and that could help a bit.