Top Pick Stats: 115/384 = -$78.60 Best Bets: 12/38 = -$19.20; Spot Plays: 7/38 = -$10.70 Best Bet: NIGHTIME DANCER (RACE 11) Spot Play: LOCATELLI (RACE 6) Early Pick 5: 5/3,7/2/5/3,4,6,9 = $1.60 Middle Pick 5: 5/4,5,7,8/3,4/1,2,3,5/3 = $6.40 Race 1: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 3 (FM 5) RACES OR $58,500 (OS $66,750) LIFETIME. (5) PENTELLER HANOVER was aggressively handled in his latest and scored comfortably. He draws even better, hooks the same group and we should expect a similar result as last week in this evening’s opener. (4) FADEAWAY HANOVER closed nicely to be a runner-up finisher in his latest. This 3YO gelded son of Chapter Seven has hit the board 3 times in 4 starts and has found the winner’s circle twice. He will be the biggest threat to the choice. (8) WEARING THE GREEN has won back-to-back starts. He draws outside and steps up in class, but should be involved early on in the mile, and will have every opportunity to work out a favorable trip. (7) RISING INTEREST never had a chance in his sophomore debut when getting away towards the back of the back. He finished 7th in that effort and can take a step forward in this spot, and should have an opportunity to grab a share. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: POP UP SERIES: HORSES & GELDINGS NW $7,500 IN 2025 OR NOT AVERAGING $900 PER START IN 2024 OR 2025 (MIN 8 STARTS). (7) GOING FAST looked like a winner at the top of the lane after working out a perfect trip. He began to drift in the lane and was unable to get to the eventual winner. He hooks a softer division of this Pop Up Series and will be given every opportunity. (3) BAYFIELD BEACH closed nicely in his latest in what was a much tougher group. He should appreciate the company he keeps this evening and will have a great chance to find the winner’s circle here. (2) BETTER SUNSET was aggressively handled from an outside draw in his latest at a big number. He stuck around to be 3rd in that contest and seems to be inching closer to a trip in the winner’s circle. (6) ARUKIDINME CABBIE was aggressively handled from an outside draw in his latest and faltered to 6th. He might benefit from having a tightener over the big track and he has a much improved draw. We should see him activated off the switch and he will have every chance at securing a share. Race 3: PREFERRED. (2) LOGAN PARK will be making his 2nd start of 2025 after an easy score in his latest. He will be racing without Lasix this evening, as he gears up for a trip to the Elitloppet later next month. He has raced without Lasix at The Red Mile last season and put forth a record-breaking mile, so there shouldn’t be any concerns coming into tonight. (3) AMIGO VOLO was runner up to the choice in his latest in what was a strong effort. He should be able to work out yet another good trip and should prove to be the biggest threat to the one above. (1) GAINES HANOVER is coming off a pair of very sharp qualifiers leading up to his 2025 debut. He should be able to put forth a good effort but isn’t as tight as the two above. (4) OSCEOLA is making his 2025 debut off a pair of qualifiers. He will pick up Chris Christoforou for this start and should have every chance to land on the ticket. Race 4: 4 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER NW $15,000 (ON SIRED $29,250) LIFETIME. (5) ROLLEX has rattled off three straight victories and has done it rather easily. He hooks a group where he should be able to continue his winning ways and will be tough to knock off. (8) CHARLIES WISH is coming off a maiden breaking score in his latest. He floated out for early positioning from an outside draw and was able to go by rivals late. I’m expecting a similar trip but he’ll need to find more to overtake the one above. (3) DIAMOND RYDER flashed good speed late in the mile in his latest effort to grab the show spot. He should be feeling good coming into this effort and can grab a big piece again. (2) COOKIE AIR will make his sophomore debut and will race out of the barn of Anthony Beaton. He is coming off a pair of qualifiers that weren’t the sharpest, and I’d want to take a wait and see approach going into tonight. Race 5: NW $2,650 LAST 5 STARTS OR N/A $955 P/S LAST 10 STARTS. (4) SHOW STOP was a 4th place finisher in his latest. He was making his first start in one month and should be tighter coming into this contest. I’ll give him the nod in what is a wide open race. (6) STASH IT AWAY went on a speed mission in his latest and cut out some quick panels in the process. He tired and finished a strong 3rd in that outing and might have better luck if he gets things more his way this evening. He’ll be sent forward and will be a threat. (9) BEACHIN LINDY hasn’t hit the board over his last two tries. He draws outside and picks up James MacDonald, and is one that can be heard from late if things set up for him in front. (3) BEYOND BETTER was never a factor in his latest vs. tougher company. He is capable of getting the best of this group on the best of days and is one that I’ll be using on multi-race tickets. Race 6: NW $14,500 LAST 5 OR NW $25,000 LAST 10 STARTS. (5) LOCATELLI takes a drop in class after failing to hit the board in the Preferred last week. He was moving well late in the mile despite where he finished, and had hit the board in back-to-back starts prior to that effort. He should be good to go for a big effort this evening and is my clear top choice. (8) PERFETTO finished 3rd in the Preferred last time and takes a dip in class to this level, where he found the winner’s circle two starts back. He could be rounding into form and merits respect. (1) HANDSOME SEBASTIAN never left the rail in his qualifying prep and was 3rd behind a pair of Preferred trotters. This 7YO gelded son of Sebastian K failed to hit the board in both of his starts earlier this year, and is one that might need a start to get tight, but he’ll be a big threat if he’s on his game. (6) SPARTAN GENERAL has been racing well as of late and was able to motor home, picking off rivals for a score. He draws well but will need a trip to set up for him in order to find the winner’s circle. Beware of him late. Race 7: CLAIMING HANDICAP $18,000 TO $24,000. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE & SEX. (8) LETS GET ROCKED failed to hit the board over his last two outings, but took on much tougher company in both of those tries. He’s back in a claiming handicap which saw him notch 2 wins and a 3rd in three starts at that level, and is one that gets the nod to find the winner’s circle here. (7) ROCK AND TWIST is another rival who should benefit from racing at this level. He, too, hasn’t been a factor over his last three tries but should appreciate the company he keeps this evening; using. (4) HEAD HONCHO will take a step in class but will now race for new trainer Cliff McGuire. He will add Lasix for this contest and is one that peaks my interest a bit this evening. (5) THRILLING TIMES has been a non factor over his last two vs. tougher company. He was a winner three starts back and was Louis-Philippe’s Roy choice over a pair of rivals. He can hit the ticket. Race 8: NW $4,000 LAST 5 OR $9,000 LAST 10 STARTS.  AE: OPT. CLM. $25,000. (4) CRYSTAL BALLER showed some good trot late in the mile to finish 5th. It was an improved effort and he could be sitting on an even better effort here this evening; top call. (3) MYSTIC hasn’t hit the board over his last two tries but was facing tougher company in the process. He takes a dip in class, was Louis-Philippe’s Roy choice here and is one that should be sitting on a good effort this evening. (8) BUCK DANCER was a solid 2nd in his latest. He hooks tougher company this evening but is one that is capable of a strong effort here.  (5) RADIO LAB made a miscue off the car in his latest. He hasn’t hit the board over his last six tries but should have every chance to hit the ticket vs. this group. Race 9: POP UP SERIES: HORSES & GELDINGS NW $7,500 IN 2025 OR NOT AVERAGING $900 PER START IN 2024 OR 2025 (MIN 8 STARTS). (5) DIRTY LIL PIGLET was a strong 2nd in his latest in what was a quick mile. He will try his hand in this Pop Up Series and he gets the nod from driver James MacDonald over another rival coming off a win, and I’ll side with the leading reinsman and give this guy the nod. (2) BROOKDALE MIKI worked out a 2nd over trip and was able to get up for the score. He has been racing better than his past lines may indicate and should be feeling confident over that recent score. He picks up Doug McNair this evening and will be given every chance. (1) MR IBIZA N went on a speed mission in his latest and faded to 4th. He is winless in 10 tries this year but might have better success with a different trip. (3) YYC ON THE HORIZON rallied late and was a good 2nd. He will need another trip to secure a big piece and will have every chance if it sets up in his favor. Race 10: NW $8,000 LAST 5 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $50,000. (3) DJIMON plunges in class here ahead of his 2nd start of 2025. He has had difficulties staying flat in outings last year, but is one that should find the winner’s circle for this group, so long as he behaves. (1) NASEY has hit the board in three straight tries and should have every opportunity to grab a big piece in here yet again. (6) DALQHUIST HANOVER showed some decent trot late to round out the superfecta. He draws well and can take a step forward but is likely racing for a share. (2) ARCHIMEDES was caught in an adventurous trip in his latest and had to settle for a share. He hooks a much tougher group this evening and is likely racing for a spot on the ticket. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 11: POP UP SERIES: HORSES & GELDINGS NW $7,500 IN 2025 OR NOT AVERAGING $900 PER START IN 2024 OR 2025 (MIN 8 STARTS). (5) NIGHTIME DANCER got as bad a trip as you can imagine when he was stuck on the inside after a host of leavers were stuck to the outside of him. He was locked in and then made a break as a result of interference. He is one that should be tough to knock off here and is my clear top choice. (3) STONEBRIDGE HELIOS was never a factor in his latest and will try this softer division of the Pop Up Series. He hasn’t looked particularly good in his efforts and is one that should crush this group, so long as he’s sound enough. Unfortunately, we haven’t seen that as of late and he’s tough for me to back with confidence, so I'll slot him underneath. (2) UP JOEYS CREDIT was an upset winner in his latest at odds of 33/1. He might be in tougher tonight but he can still hit the ticket. (7) BETTOR OF THE WEST hasn’t hit the board in two 10 tries this year but can round out the superfecta in this spot. Race 12: POP UP SERIES: NW $15,000 (F&M $18,750) IN 2025 OR NOT AVERAGING $1,400 (F&M $1,750) PER START IN 2024 OR 2025 (MIN 8 STARTS). (7) PHOENIX delivered as the choice in his latest but wasn’t the strongest of winners despite what was a favorable trip. I still think he’s the clear standout in this field of trotters and I’ll give him the edge to double up. (4) UPNAWAY BLUE CHIP was a runner-up finisher to the choice. He worked out a nice trip but couldn’t get to him, and I’d expect another favorable trip here, but he’ll need to find a bit more. (2) EYES OF JUSTICE never had much of a chance in his latest. He draws inside and will have a better chance of hitting the ticket. (8) PESO HANOVER has hit the board over his last two tries and will have every opportunity to add to that. (3) GIGONDAS will make his 2nd start for new trainer Carmen Auciello. He wasn’t a factor in his latest but could show some improvement here.