Top Pick Stats: 0-0 ($0.00) Best Bet: MARS HILL (Race 5) Spot Play: DARLENES ANGEL (Race 8) Early Pick 5: 5,8/3,7/1/1,8,9/1   $2.40 Late Pick 5: 4/3,5,7/1,3/1,8/1,6,10   $7.20 Race 1: 5 YEAR OLDS AND YOUNGER, NW3 (FM 4) RACES OR $50,000 (OS $62,500) LIFETIME. (8) RIGHT HERE HANOVER bolted through an opening that was provided in his latest and was a winner without much urging. He steps up the class ladder, but is clearly improving, and McClure gives him the nod. (5) FADEAWAY HANOVER came up short as the favorite once again in his latest, but his versatility and late kick make him a threat in almost every race he’s in. He feels like a must-use on all tickets. (3) P L ROBERT G found a solid outside flow and trotted home strong to finish second in his latest. He showed that his win on April 18 was no fluke. He can pick up another share here. (4) MODELO GOLD comes off a strong showing in the Ontario Sired Spring Series, including a win in the final. If he continues his sharp form, he can pick up at least a share, if not more. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: ONTARIO SIRES STAKES: GRASSROOTS LEG 1. 3 YEAR OLD PACING FILLIES. STARTING FEE $400 CDN ($300 USD). (3) COEURATOUT DU LAC had an adventurous trip in her latest. She got to the lead from post ten and was part of a quick first half pace, took a bit of a shuffle, then was still battling up the inside and only ended up a length back of the winner. She ended up being placed back to eighth for a pylon violation, but it was a strong effort that deserves respect. (7) BETTER IN HEELS was able to get to the outside amidst all the movement that was happening in the middle portions of the race, and she closed well to be involved at the end. She gets Jody Jamieson in the bike again this week who drove her to an upset win two starts ago. She should have an opportunity to grab a major piece. (2) WHISKEY BLUE CHIP should appreciate the post relief. She can grab an underneath finish in this spot. (6) MY GELATO finished fourth in her latest after taking a bit of a shuffle. She can hit the ticket here. Race 3: PREFERRED. (1) GAINES HANOVER is the current standout at the top level when Logan Park isn’t here. He will offer a short price again, but is the clear one to beat. (2) OSECOLA produced another strong win in a class just below this in his latest. He has the speed to contend with this top level, but needs to mind his manners. (3) FASHION FRENZIE finished third behind the aforementioned Gaines Hanover and Logan Park in his latest. He should be able to pick up another share here. (7) HIGHLAND KISMET makes his first start at the age of four after two strong qualifiers. He earned nearly $750,000 last season. He can pick up more than a share if he is ready to roll. Race 4: NW $6,000 LAST 5 STARTS AE: N/A $1,770 P/S IN 2025. (9) BET THE BB has been facing some tough claiming competition as of late. He held his own in his latest and deserves respect, despite his wide post draw. (1) ARTIES IDEAL also had to face tougher foes in his latest. He finished a strong second at this level two back and is a main contender if he repeats that race. (8) STONEBRIDGE HELIOS could be rounding back into form, and his early speed makes him a threat to hit the ticket. (4) WHY WOULDNT YA could be the beneficiary of all the potential early speed. He has paced home sharply in his last two efforts and could pick off some tired horses late. Race 5: NW $15,750 LAST 5 STARTS.  AE: OPT. CLM. $70,000. AE: NW 6 RACES OR $140,000 LIFETIME. AE: NW $45,000 IN 2025 (MIN 10 STARTS). (1) MARS HILL was a logical horse to keep an eye on after his latest where he got shuffled back to nearly last. He trotted home strong, but the damage was done. He is a major contender with this post relief and will be my Best Bet of the evening. (6) NASEY is a strong, consistent horse who has finished second in each of his last three starts. He can be right there again. (3) SID THE KID finished a strong second behind superstar Paquet in the Graduate final. His early speed makes him a logical threat to hit the board. (10) DJIMON found the winner’s circle in his latest but now draws the widest post. He will be tested, but his speed can still allow him to hit the ticket. Race 6: ONTARIO SIRES STAKES: GRASSROOTS LEG 1. 3 YEAR OLD PACING FILLIES. STARTING FEE $400 CDN ($300 USD). (7) SUGAR PIE HONEY produced a huge late rally to win in her first start of the year. She gets the logical nod from leading driver James Macdonald and appears in a solid spot to double up. (2) KANDY KISS was pacing well on both ends of her latest mile against some tough fillies. Her versatility makes her a logical threat to grab a big piece. (3) CATCH MY PASSION was one of many horses bothered in the fourth race on May 8 when the leading horse made a break at the top of the stretch. She paced home strongly despite that in what was her first start of the season. A step forward can see her hit the ticket. (4) PICK ME UP HANOVER had reason to tire after setting a blistering quarter. She picks up Jody Jamieson this week and can pick up a share. Race 7: NW $9,000 LAST 5 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $50,000. AE: $1,815 P/S IN 2024 OR NW $60,000 LIFETIME. AE: OS 4 YR OLDS NW 6 RACES LIFETIME. (9) MASSTERCRAFT was handled aggressively in his latest and ended up a strong second. He could get to the lead again from the outside draw and prove to be a tough customer. (3) DEVILS ARCH produced a strong win from up close in his first start since February. A repeat of that race puts him right back in contention. (6) GRAMBLING HALL got an ultra-aggressive steer in his latest which saw him take the field wire to wire. He is another logical use in exotics. (5) BELLA CAVALLA sustained her middle move and was able to grind down the leaders in a slight upset. She could benefit if the early speed horses duel too much. Race 8: ONTARIO SIRES STAKES: GRASSROOTS LEG 1. 3 YEAR OLD PACING FILLIES. STARTING FEE $400 CDN ($300 USD). (4) DARLENES ANGEL had to wait for room to open along the inside, but once it did, she paced home strongly to finish second. A cleaner trip can see her get into the winner’s circle. (2) FOREVERAFTERALL paced home strongly in her latest and just missed. She has the potential to get the job done if the race sets up right. (1) LADY GAMBLER did what she could in her latest to salvage a minor check after getting away poorly. She can close for a share. (3) TALL DARK LADY was aggressively handled from post ten in her latest and she held on to hit the board. She will likely be pushed forward again off the car and can hold on for a share. Race 9: POP UP SERIES FINAL: NW $20,000 (F&M $25,000) OR NOT AVERAGING $1,700 (F&M $2,125) PER START IN 2025 (MIN 8 STARTS). (7) MARKET BANKER got the best of this group after fast fractions were set ahead of him. He is coming into this final with sharp form and can get the job done again. (5) PESO HANOVER was second over in that same race and hit the lead in midstretch, but couldn’t hold off the deep closers. He hasn’t won yet this season but is always right there. (3) CRYSTAL BALLER nearly got the jump on Market Banker but had to settle for second behind that rival. If he can sustain his move again, he will be heard from late in the mile. (4) SHADRACK HANOVER was part of the wicked early fractions that were set. He had reason to tire. He gets post relief this evening and can pick up a share. Race 10: NW $3,000 LAST 5 STARTS OR $7,500 LAST 10 STARTS. AE: NOT AVERAGING $1,055 PER START IN 2025 (MIN 8 STARTS). (3) BETTOR OF THE WEST made two strong moves en route to a second place finish in his latest. He gets major post relief and feels set to breakthrough tonight. (1) GRAVITATIONAL is a versatile type that got the nod from Billy Davis. The class change could help him significantly. (6) P L OZZY spoiled his pocket trip with a break in stride at the top of the stretch. At his best, he wins this race. Your call. (5) BAYFIELD BEACH has raced better as of late when sitting close to the lead. He draws a good post and can pick up a check. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 11: CLAIMING HANDICAP $18,000 TO $24,000. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE & SEX. ENTER IN MULTIPLES OF $1,000. (8) LETS GET ROCKED races off the claim for the Garry Merner barn and picks up leading driver James Macdonald. He has been extremely close to wins in his last two and should threaten again. (1) KYLES ART was an upset winner in his latest after a midpack trip. He’s in strong form right now and can earn a major piece. (4) OVERTHINKING gets a drop in class and a post draw that could allow him to work his way towards the front in the early stages. He can grab an underneath spot. (9) JJ TOMMY has some questions off the claim and with a wide draw, but some of his recent lines play very strong if he gets back to that form.  Race 12: NW $3,000 LAST 5 STARTS OR $ NW $7,500 LAST 10 STARTS.  AE: NOT AVERAGING $1,055 PER START IN 2025. (MIN 8 STARTS). (1) SHOW STOP has paced home extremely well in his last two starts. He was set to race from post ten last week but was scratched. The rail draw can keep him close enough to the pace where his late pace could prove to be too much for the rest of the field. (6) SOUTHWIND SAMBUCCA races better when close to the lead, and he didn’t get that trip last time. He was a winner two starts ago when racing at this level and draws a perfect post to get good position off the car. (10) LOOKINLIKEAMILLION has been earning minor shares against tougher competition in his last two starts. If he works out a trip from post ten, he could be very dangerous in here. (4) KINGSTON PANIC went a little too fast on the lead in his latest and tired because of it. A different trip may be in the cards for him this week, but he can pick up a minor share. (7) FOREFATHER is always on the move late. He can pick off some tired horses to round out the Hi-5.