Top Pick Stats: 635 - 1973 / $3,430.70 (-$515.30) Best Bets: 94 - 181 / $301.20 (-$60.80) Spot Plays: 41 - 177 / $352.00 (-$2.00) Best Bet: TYGA HANOVER (5TH) Spot Play: LMC MISTER SQUISHY (8TH) Early Pick 5: 1,5,7/1,3,4/4,8/2,4,5/1 = $10.80 Middle Pick 5: 2,3,6/7,10/2,6,8/6,7/5,10 = $14.40 Late Pick 5: 2,6,8/6,7/5,10/1,3/1,5,8 = $14.40 Early Pick 4: 2,4,5/1/2,3,6/7,10 = $3.60 Late Pick 4: 6,7/5,10/1,3/1,5,8 = $4.80 Race 1: NW $2,570 LAST 5 STARTS OR NW $7,500 LAST 10 STARTS. (W/O $15,500 LAST 10 STARTS N/E). AE: NOT AVERAGING $920 PER START IN 2024**$75,000 Pick 5** (1) THONG CONTROL tried a middle move to the front last week, but it seemed poorly timed, and he never got close to clearing the leading favorite. They both paid the price. A better trip is likely here and he gets the nod. (7) NIGHTIME DANCER got picked off late in a decent effort last week and he should be a threat right back. This looks like an easier spot for (5) PREMIER FIRST STAR. He is worth a price look for the Pick 5. (3) DUPREE HANOVER should improve on the drop, but I prefer to use him underneath making his second start back since September.  [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: NW $21,500 (F&M $22,500) IN 2024 (MIN 10 STARTS). AE: N/A $1,500 (F&M $1,890) PER START IN 2024. AE: NW $100 LAST 5 STARTS (4) KENOGAMI COCO was an okay 4th vs. better than these and I’d love to get 8 to 1 on him vs. these but that is unlikely. (1) BUCKHEAD RIDGE can be much better tonight after getting a clean line down last week; using. (3) HEAD OF THE CLASS hasn’t shown much since changing hands, but I like that he flashed speed last week, gets Macdonald back, and faces easier. He could wake up here. (8) VILLEFRANCHE AS is 1 for 45 this year with 23 slices. She is a clear fade for me as the morning line favorite. [DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Mohawk Park card at DRF Bets.com!] Race 3: NW $4,700 LAST 5 STARTS OR NW $9,300 LAST 10 STARTS. AE: N/A $1,700 P/S IN 2024 (8) MAGICAL ARTHUR is in easier here and he should offer a decent price starting from a wide post; call to upset. (4) IVY PARK was Macdonald’s choice of four in here, but he has 1 win in 17 starts this year and I could see him getting over bet; your call. (3) GENTLEONMYMIND had the freshest legs in the lane last week when the pace really slowed. I think he finishes on the edges tonight. (7) HESINCONTROL rarely misses the top four. He will likely close for a share tonight. Race 4: HORSES THAT HAVE STARTED FOR A PURSE OF $9,000 OR LESS IN ONE OF LAST 3 STARTS. W/O $8,575 LAST 5 N/E - Pick 4 Last time (2) BUCKTOBER shipped from London to Mohawk Park he was a winner. He will likely get an aggressive steer here from owner/driver Borth, and he gets top billing. (4) DONATOVER faces much easier here and Macdonald sticks. He figures to be the main threat. (5) SOUTHWIND RUSSIAN ships west from Ottawa in good form and he can be a speed threat; price look for the multis. (8) COOL CLIFFORD will probably get positioned near the front early and that gives him a chance to take a share. Race 5: NW $8,000 LAST 5 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $50,000. AE: N/A $1,985 P/S IN 2024 (1) TYGA HANOVER gets top billing here moving back into Merner’s barn, considering he won 7 of 10 starts for this trainer at this track so far this year. (3) CODENAME CIGAR BOX comes in off a predictable win at Flamboro Downs over easier, but he fits well vs. these, and he can be an Exacta factor in this spot. (6) SAULSBROOK IAN goes from the worst post to the best one and Macdonald sticks with him over other options. He is in the exotics mix here. (2) WHEELS ON FIRE should get a share vs. this group getting post relief tonight. Race 6: NW $9,650 LAST 5 STARTS. AE: NW $105,000 LIFETIME - Pick 5 This is a good spot for (2) DEVILS ARCH, who seems to either win or break stride these days. He can beat these if he stays flat. (3) LOCATELLI gets to drop in class for this return race and his 12/6 qualifier signals readiness; using. (6) TRUFFLES TOO is capable at this level when he is on his best behaviour. I like that he moves into the Etsell barn for his Mohawk Park return and he should get put in play at the start leaving from the best post. (8) BRACE FOR LANDING likely sits and rallies for a slice in this spot. Race 7: CLAIMING HANDICAP $12,000 TO $16,000. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE & SEX. ENTER IN MULTIPLES OF $1,000 (7) KYLES ART raced great in defeat last time, picked off by a steamrolling rival that has already come back to jog at this level. This gelding should be tough in here. (10) CHIEF OF STAFF crushed, got claimed and he gets Macdonald shipping in from London. He could get ignored here starting from the widest post; price look. (6) MACH ART IN MOTION finished behind the choice two starts back then came back to finish 3rd to the rival that beat them both on 11/9. He should be good for another share here. (2) SUNNY BO has been racing well on the engine in Ottawa but against these he likely only hangs around for a small slice. Race 8: NW $2,500 LAST 5 STARTS (W/O $14,750 LAST 10 STARTS N/E). AE: NOT AVERAGING $900 PER START IN 2024 (MIN 10 STARTS). AE: OPT. CLM. $20,000 - Pick 5 (2) LMC MISTER SQUISHY will be an angle play for me in a race with no standout, the angle being him making his first start out of the Billy Budd barn. (8) GOLD EDITION drops to a good spot, and I could see him chasing down some tired leaders in this spot; using. (6) CHULO hasn’t taken a check since being claimed on 11/18 and he has some gait issues, but he can beat these if he stays flat. I would not take a short price, however. (4) WASTINGNOTIME has a big late kick on his best day. He can sneak into the exotics tonight. Race 9: NW $14,000 LAST 5 STARTS.  AE: OPT. CLM. $70,000. AE: N/A $4,420 P/S IN 2024. AE: NW OF A RACE IN 2024 - Pick 4 (7) QUEBEC HANOVER on the class drop, should clear to the front here then play come and catch me and I don’t think anyone does. (6) NEW RULES is the other dropper, and he should be a threat if he leaves fast enough to get position close to the front; using. (4) DEALIN WITH DEWEY is no stranger to Mohawk Park. He won here in August, and he seems to fit well in this spot for his local return. He should take at least a share. (2) ALL GAS NO BRAKES maintained his good form after being claimed. He should be part of the Tri or Super. Race 10: NW $2,570 LAST 5 STARTS OR NW $7,500 LAST 10 STARTS.  (W/O $15,500 LAST 10 STARTS N/E). AE: NOT AVERAGING $920 PER START IN 2024 91-time winner (10) NATIONAL DEBT moves into the Demers barn, and he gets Roy in the bike here. I’ll take a price stab with him here. (5) CALL ME IT raced a bit better on 12/16 and took a check. He gets Henry in the bike now and he is worth a price look here. (8) CONTROL HEAVEN dropped, was bet down to chalk, and showed little. He drops again and is the morning line favorite. I’ll play to beat him. (6) BEACHIN LINDY should be able to close for a share in this spot. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 11: NW $4,975 LAST 5 STARTS AE: OPT. CLM. $25,000. AE: N/A $1,740 P/S IN 2024. AE: NW $35,000 IN 2024 (3) YANK MY HALO gets a key driver change to Roy tonight and that is enough to make him the top pick here. (1) MASS HYSTERIA drops to a spot where she should be effective if she can stay flat this time; using. (4) P P E should be able to find cover this week and I see him landing in the Tri. (5) THE FIXER is capable of producing a good effort at this level. He is worth using underneath at a price. Race 12: CLAIMING HANDICAP $30,000 TO $40,000. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE & SEX. ENTER IN MULTIPLES OF $1,000 (8) ARMYCAPTIN HANOVER drops, and Roy sided with him over (5) JADENSMAGICSTEEL, who was well-driven to win last week over a wet track. I’ll side with the former but use both on multi-race tickets. (10) B STONEY is capable of beating these, but it will be hard for him to work out a winning trip starting from the widest post; using underneath. (1) RJS SUPERFREAK has lived up to his name in recent starts at Rideau Carlton. He is another that could do here that is worth a look for late multi-race tickets. (2) MACH IMPACT steps up a couple of levels here racing off the claim, but he is sharp enough that he can take a slice. (3) DR JOE likely passes a few of these late to land a share.