Top Pick Stats: 370/1076 (-$397.40) Best Bets: 47/96 ($10.20); Spot Plays: 19/96 (-$53.60) Best Bet: CHIC CHOC ROSE (Race 3) Spot Play: ABIDING ART (Race 9) Early Pick-5: 6,9/5,8/1/1,3,6/6,7   $4.80 Late Pick-5: 1,3,4/1,3,5/8/3,4,7/3,7   $10.80 Race 1: 4 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 1 (WINNERS FOR A PURSE OF $9,000 OR LESS 2 RACES) RACE OR $9,000 LIFETIME. NO ALLOWANCES. (6) TIE GAME logically stepped forward on the big track, but had to settle for second as the favorite. He looks like a formidable foe in tonight’s opener. (9) RESOLVED ISSUES had to work first over last week but was unable to sustain that move. If he isn’t pressured too hard from this post, he could hang around long enough to be in contention. (3) DULCES SUENOS DEO is a reliable closer who likes to pick up the pieces in the late stages. Look for him to pass horses and land his way onto the ticket. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: CLAIMING $20,000 FOR NW $60,000 (OS $75,000) LIFETIME. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE. AE: N/A $660 P/S IN 2025. (5) AMBITIOUS MIND is usually a main player at this level. I’ll count on J-Mac getting a little more out of him and getting him to the line first this week. (8) SMILES FOR MILES should be first off the car for Plante, who has gotten a lot out of him in the last three times he has piloted. It could set up with these two following each other. (6) ARAGONITE made a jump to this level last week after two straight wins, but was tracked down in the late stages and had to settle for fourth. Roy may try different tactics this week, especially if the top two battle. Race 3: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 3 (FM 4) RACES OR $50,000 (OS $85,500) LIFETIME. AE: 4 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER OPT. CLM. $60,000. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE. (1) CHIC CHOC ROSE put it all together nicely last week for a strong win. She continues to race against the boys with success. If she can maneuver the rail starting spot, she should be tough again. (6) PANTOFOLAIO showed some pop at the end of last week’s mile. If he can sustain that move, or even show some early speed, I can see him getting a big piece. (3) SUNDAY SHOES is a reliable check getter at this level. McNair may sit an inside trip with him tonight and look for things to open up late. Race 4: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 2 (FM 3) RACES OR $20,000 (OS $31,750) LIFETIME. (6) PUSH TO START has shown me enough to give the impression that he can handle a class jump like this. His speed is right there with these if he takes a slight step forward. (3) STOVID continued to support my theory that I curse horses who are bet like they can’t lose. She was really likely to take a step forward last week with McNair driving, and she did, but couldn’t hold on when it counted and nearly finished fourth. She is hard to trust, in my eyes, after an effort like that. (1) FRENCH VODKA is a reliable closer who should be passing horses late to get into contention. I’ll use her underneath. Race 5: CLAIMING HANDICAP $18,000 TO $24,000. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE & SEX. ENTER IN MULTIPLES OF $1,000. (6) LETS GET ROCKED paced a gigantic mile off the claim which saw him get steppy in the first turn and end up parked for the mile. He re-rallied in the stretch and somehow stayed in front when between horses. If he can avoid whatever caused that first turn miscue, he should be tough again. (7) YVC ON THE HORIZON takes a sharp drop into a level that he can easily win at if he brings his best. I’ll try to beat him, though, thinking that he will be a serious underlay. (5) REMEMBER THE BEACH had a dreamy pocket trip last week at a big price, but just missed. If he isn’t involved in a hot pace, I could see him getting a good trip again and getting a piece. Race 6: CLAIMING $20,000 FOR NW $30,000 (OS $38,500) LIFETIME. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE. (3) CARSONSBUCKNGO was left chasing the big favorite last week. He gets post relief tonight and should be able to fire off the car and get into a good spot. (1) HAKA TIMATANGA has been holding his own against similar classes at Rideau. We have seen a couple of shippers from there step forward on the bigger track, and one that nearly won with J-Mac driving. (4) SUPA FAST got a trip around the track last week from the high draw. Look for him to be put in play in his second start off the claim. Race 7: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 2 (FM 3) RACES OR $20,000 (OS $31,750) LIFETIME. (5) CRYPTO HANOVER just held on for the win after making a second move towards the front. I’ll give her the nod to repeat tonight. (3) DAFFY HANOVER has been right there in recent weeks, but just can’t get over the hump. She is a logical use on tickets, but I can’t quite pull the trigger on her to win. (1) FATEFUL should be passing horses late like she usually does. There is a possibility that she sweeps past everyone in the late stages. Race 8: FILLIES & MARES, CLAIMING $20,000 FOR NW $30,000 (OS $37,500) LIFETIME. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE. AE: N/A $1,570 P/S IN 2025. (8) CATCHMEGRACEFULLY has changed tactics in her last two efforts, which has resulted in two open length wins. When horses are sharp for the Cullen barn, it’s hard to look past that. She adds Lasix tonight and will look for another win. (3) SIDE EFFECTS is another who has been knocking on the door in recent weeks. J-Mac gets the call tonight and could unlock a little more. This is a common theme of the weekend. (1) COOK THE BOOKS has been racing well in recent weeks without getting to the winner’s circle. She may have to work first over tonight which could be to her detriment. I’ll use her underneath. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 9: CLAIMING $20,000 FOR NW $30,000 (OS $38,500) LIFETIME. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE. (6) ABIDING ART was looking for room for about half of the stretch, and was moving well when he finally got it. The price will be much shorter tonight, but he should have a chance if he minds his manners. (7) UWAITILLGOFIRST was a strong second last week at Rideau. It’s another circumstance of a sharp Rideau shipper picking up the leading driver. It’s difficult to look past that. (3) STRONGMAN HANOVER is a solid, grinding type who has been in contention in basically all of his last five starts. He is an extremely logical use on tickets. Race 10: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 3 (FM 4) RACES OR $50,000 (OS $85,500) LIFETIME. AE: 4 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER OPT. CLM. $60,000. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE. (3) MANOAH came through with a sharp win when dropping in class. He has the post edge on a couple of main rivals. I’ll give him the nod to repeat. (7) VERACRUZ tripped out last week, but had been building towards an effort like that. He fits extremely well at this level. (8) WILDTURKEY HANOVER hasn’t raced in over a month now. I think he will need a start or two, and is likely to be racing from the back, but he has the ability to pass horses late and find his way onto the ticket.