Top Pick Stats: 96/327 (-$135.00) Best Bets: 11/30 (-$20.10); Spot Plays: 11/31 ($3.60) Best Bet: CHECK MASTER (Race 9) Spot Play: CRAZIN PARTY BOY (Race 10) Early Pick-5: 6,7/1,3/1,2,8/1,3,6/1,5   $14.40 Late Pick-5: 2,6/4,7/3,4,7/3/1   $2.40 Race 1: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 1 (WINNERS FOR A PURSE OF $9,000 OR LESS 2 RACES) RACE OR $9,000 LIFETIME. NO ALLOWANCES. (7) LOYAL LEO returned to action with a winning qualifier last week. He looked strong when chasing down the leader on an off track. I’ll give him the nod on debut. (2) DULCES SUENOS DEO was somehow bet down to favoritism last week, and put forth another effort that made him some money. I expect him to be on the ticket again. (6) LOVE SENSATION found her best stride late in the mile after swinging wide at the top of the stretch. J-Mac takes over the lines tonight and will look to slowly but surely work her into contention. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: CLAIMING $20,000 FOR NW $60,000 (OS $96,500) LIFETIME. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE. (1) CHEF went a big trip last week from the high draw, and still had some pace left up the inside late in the mile. He should provide a square price tonight. (3) VOLCANIC got a great setup last week. First, with the early battling, and second, with the cover that Wicked Express provided him. He has been nearly perfect this season, but I don’t think that lasts. I should probably give up on (8) BELMONT BLAZER, but I just can’t imagine he keeps taking back like he has been. He’s going to pop up with a big effort at some point, but needs to be given that chance. Race 3: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 2 (FM 3) RACES OR $20,000 (OS $37,000) LIFETIME. AE: N/A $910 P/S IN 2025-2026. (8) SOUTHWIND MANHATTN was able to grind out a third place finish last week as the favorite. Despite drawing outside this week, she picks up a big driver change with James Macdonald taking the lines tonight. I’m curious how much he can get out of her. (1) FRENCHMONI HANOVER was able to sustain his effort this week after taking back command around the three quarter pole. If he can sit a stalking trip from the rail, he can get a big piece. (2) HADLEY looked like she might step forward after her return qualifier, but was a sick scratch. A patient drive seems likely. She can get a piece. Race 4: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 1 (WINNERS FOR A PURSE OF $9,000 OR LESS 2 RACES) RACE OR $9,000 LIFETIME. NO ALLOWANCES. (1) UP TO NO GOUDA will continue to be a horse to watch with his off the pace style. He was better last week, and I think has an opportunity to step forward again if he can navigate the rail. (6) DIVINE LOVE came up short last week after methodically working his way into contention on the outside. He should be able to get a better position off the car this week. (3) GOLDIE LUX HANOVER has flashed some ability in the mornings, and will make just her second career start. She could follow in her dam’s footsteps and step forward in her seasonal debut. Race 5: HORSES & GELDINGS CLAIMING $8,000 FOR NW $5,000 LAST 4 STARTS. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE. (1) PLAY THE ACE was given a nice steer by Thiessen two starts ago. He frequently sustains his outside moves, and a cover trip could give him every chance. (5) EARLY PLAY gets post relief after methodically working his way into contention and getting a check. He has been a contender at Flamboro. (3) HES SWIFT was parked for the mile in his latest when dropping back to this level. Look for him to rebound and not be on the outside for the entirety of tonight. Race 6: FILLIES & MARES, CLAIMING $20,000 FOR NW $60,000 (OS $75,000) LIFETIME. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE. (6) WEDNESDAYS CHILD showed plenty of pop in the stretch and was outfinishing many despite the slow fractions set up top. She is inching closer to a win. (2) SIDE EFFECTS was able to hold off the charges on both sides in the stretch and extended her winning streak to four. McNair should have her in a spot to win again. (1) TALLDARKLATTE stayed on decently after making a first over move at Side Effects. I don’t think she has the sustained move to make a trip like that work for the win, but she can get another piece. Race 7: NW 3 (FM 4) RACES OR $60,000 LIFETIME. (7) LUVUTOTHEMOONANBAK was overmatched in the class above last week, but was on the outside and didn’t completely disgrace himself. I expect him to be forwardly placed off the car when returning to this level. (4) VALIDUS didn’t have much of a chance last week when racing from last. Roy sticks, and the post relief should allow her to work into a stalking spot. (5) MY WAY got to the outside in the stretch and was able to pass a few horses. That is typically his game; I’ll use him underneath. Race 8: POP UP SERIES FINAL: H&G CLAIMING $20,000 FOR NW $30,000 (OS $37,500) LIFETIME. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE. (MUST RACE IN 2 LEGS TO BE ELIGIBLE TO FINAL). (4) POPPA JOE has been making his presence felt at this level with multiple different trips. He gets away from the rail tonight and could find himself in a stalking spot. (3) TOUR CHAMPION was a solid third last week after leaving out from an outside post. He races off the claim for Auciello and should be right there again. (7) ALL BETS ON GARY sustained his first over move all the way to the wire and produced his best effort of the season. I’ll look for the top three from last week to come back in a different order this week. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 9: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 2 (FM 3) RACES OR $20,000 (OS $37,000) LIFETIME. AE: N/A $910 P/S IN 2025-2026. (3) CHECK MASTER is finally going to get some love from the bettors after his fast closing third. I’ve been thinking that he can pop for a few weeks now; Let’s hope tonight is the night. (2) GOAL DIGGER got a trip around the track in his return qualifier. He flashed more than enough speed at the end of last season which would be more than enough to get the job done here. (6) HAZELS MUSCLE was unable to sustain his move last week, but still got a check. He can grind out a finish in the money tonight. Race 10: CLAIMING $20,000 FOR NW $30,000 (OS $51,000) LIFETIME. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE. AE: N/A $475 P/S IN 2026. (1) CRAZIN PARTY BOY might not take as much support after a scratch, but he fits much better in this spot and should use his late kick to get into contention. (6) NOTHININMODERATION adds Lasix after a more than subpar effort in his latest. He gets away from the likes of Volcanic and Wicked Express, though, and the price will make him worth a shot. (3) TH ALLOWMETOLEAD was better in his latest at Flamboro when racing on the outside. A cover trip could get him into contention.