Top Pick Stats: 169/512 (-$187.00) Best Bets: 18/46 (-$27.20); Spot Plays: 9/47 (-$48.50) Best Bet: PHOENIX (Race 5) Spot Play: SAFE CONDUCT (Race 9) Early Pick-5: 2,5/5,6/3,7/1,4/4   $3.20 Late Pick-5: 4,7/2,5/1,3/4/2,3   $3.20 Race 1: NW $3,000 LAST 5 STARTS OR NW $9,250 LAST 10 STARTS. AE: NOT AVERAGING $1,285 PER START IN 2025 (MIN 10 STARTS). AE: OPT. CLM. $20,000. (5) BLAST OF SUNSHINE was able to capitalize on fast fractions set up front, and he eventually flipped off cover and got the job done. I’ll give him the nod to repeat. (2) FOREFATHER has been put in good spots by Roy and could end up getting the jump in the stretch if he moves earlier. (6) LETS GET ROCKED left out last week and ended up hitting the board. His races from off the pace haven’t been bad, but I still think he’s better when up close. (3) LARRY KARR might not be able to fire his fastball anymore, but his early speed can allow him to track inside and grab a share. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: NW $3,000 LAST 5 STARTS OR NW $12,750 LAST 10 STARTS. (6) ZIP ME UP has two tighteners under his belt since qualifying earlier this month. With JR Plante listed, a speed try could be in order, which is made easier by the shorter field. (5) VICTOR INVICTUS has the back class to get the job done, but hasn’t strung together wins in a while. A first over blitz could send him to the winner’s circle if speed falters. (1) GOOBER SMACK was a strong second back in early July when gate speed was used. He could be in for a strong effort tonight from the pocket. (3) JGS Pal continues to make his way down the class ladder. This spot should fit him better, and he can get a check. Race 3: WINNERS OF 3 (FM 4) BUT NOT MORE THAN 5 (FM 6) OR $92,000 LIFETIME. (3) ZETTE ATHENA was given every chance in her division of the Casual Breeze and just missed. She is in top form right now and gets my nod. (7) EMOJI HANOVER got back to herself last week and closed down the center of the track to track down Pemberton. If she is sound, she should prove extremely tough again. (2) LMC WAGON WHEEL pulled from third and tracked down leaders in last week’s Gold. He hasn’t been handled as aggressively in the in-between overnight races. (4) MYFRIENDJOSE was getting back to sharp form, but made a break against tougher competition last week. Look for him to rebound and be in contention at the top of the stretch. Race 4: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 2 (FM 3) RACES OR $20,000 (OS $25,000) LIFETIME. AE: N/A $2,620 P/S IN 2025. (4) CABALLERO made a strong move to get to the lead and held off rivals. He should be able to string wins together when he is sound. (1) MAJOR BANK has found a perfect spot to contend week after week. Nobody was able to catch him once he got to the lead. A quarter move could be in store. (3) FRENCH VODKA gets away from the rail draw which is where he made a break from last week. I would expect him to be just off the pace and look to capitalize late. (8) BEERSNSUNSHINE DEO adds Lasix after a subpar effort last week. She is likely to work from off the pace and can get a piece. Race 5: NW $9,000 LAST 5 STARTS OR NW $14,500 LAST 10 STARTS. AE: N/A $2,805 P/S IN 2025 (MIN 11 STARTS). AE: OPT. CLM. $50,000. AE: MARES. (4) PHOENIX has been knocking on the door plenty in recent weeks. I liked his start two back which followed a race where he had little room. Last week’s effort should only leave him tighter coming into tonight. (3) ROBERTSON DE had a tough trip in his latest when moving first over into a race that turned into a final quarter sprint. He had been holding his own consistently before that. The class drop should help too. (1) P L RAINBOW DASH probably got the best type of drive given the quick first half, but she was still unable to get the job done. She is hard to trust on top. (7) TRUFFLES TOO didn’t bring his best two starts ago, but it was enough to win after sitting close. I don’t see him getting a trip like that tonight. Race 6: 2 YEAR OLD FILLIES: NW 1 RACE OR $8,000 LIFETIME. WITH ALLOWANCES. (7) J M OOH LALA was a filly I took a shot with in her Mohawk debut last week, and she raced extremely well to finish second at 20/1. You won’t get that price tonight, but I think she finds her way to the winner’s circle. (4) TEESHA SEELSTER was moving extremely well in the back half of her career debut. It wasn’t the fastest mile, but a sustained move like that should have her as a contender. (1) TAKES NO BULL was a decent third in her first start in a month. Another up close trip could see her upset if she is tighter tonight. (8) AURA BLUE CHIP could be first to the lead, but it seems like she is better when off the pace. She can work out a trip and get a piece. Race 7: NW $19,850 LAST 5 STARTS.  AE: NW OF 9 RACES LIFETIME. (2) HASTY BID had to wait for room to open up the inside last week. She was moving forward and was right with the leaders on the runout, suggesting she had a little more. I think she comes through with a big effort tonight. (5) WHAT ABOUT ELMO produced a career-best win two starts ago before holding his own in the Preferred. McClure has been a great pairing with him. (3) R PEAKY BLINDERS is another dropping from the Preferred level. Since Louis Roy took over, the horse has found another gear. (8) PENNTELLER HANOVER was sharp in Kentucky, and although he’s had about two months off, the qualifier was just fine. He can slot right back in. Race 8: NW $3,000 LAST 5 STARTS OR NW $12,750 LAST 10 STARTS. (1) EYES OF JUSTICE has been nowhere close in recent weeks, but the last time he dropped to this level, Roy completely let him loose and he cruised to victory. I don’t want to say he should beat this field, but… (3) HEAD OF THE CLASS has failed to string consistent efforts together this year in limited starts, but his last two were steps in the right direction. Another step forward could see him contend off a helmet. (5) TACTICAL STRIKE was empty as the favorite after being pressured to get to the front. She has back lines that would crush these, but it’s why the race isn’t run on paper. (6) YES picks up the circuit’s leading driver tonight after a third place finish at Grand River. He can sit an inside trip and grab a piece. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 9: OPEN. (MLT STARTERS PREFERRED). (4) SAFE CONDUCT got a perfect drive from Christoforou last week, but was apparently never going to catch the overbet winner. I’m trying him again. (3) FASHION FRENZIE went off at 4/5 last week and was hammered in the double pools. And then, he won! I understand he’s good, but they all are, and where was this over the last few weeks? In case you couldn’t tell, I picked Safe Conduct last week. (6) AMIGO VOLO had to settle for third after being the odds on winner two starts ago. He is always a contender at this level. (2) DRAWN IMPRESSION fits at this level, but needs to class up if she is looking for a win. Race 10: POP UP SERIES FINAL: NW $50,000 (F&M $62,500) IN 2025 (MIN 12 STARTS). AE: STARTERS FOR A PURSE OF $11,000 OR LESS IN ONE OF L3 STARTS. (2) FLIRTY DANCER was an easy winner in her latest after pulling from third. She now has back to back wins with J-Mac in the bike and looms as a major presence in tonight’s Pop-Up Final. (3) MYRETIREMENTDREAM was favored again last week, and that proved to be the time for him to finally break through this season. He draws a better post tonight and should be on the move early. (4) MY BUDDY SAM was left chasing Flirty Dancer in the stretch after cutting the mile. Out of the top three, I think he is likely to be left chasing again. (5) EMMA TOWN BUD has been solid in two starts since shipping in from Rideau, but not everyone can sit the perfect trip. I’ll use him underneath. (6) GOODASHIM could capitalize on the early battling and vault off cover if it is provided. I’ll use him to round out the Hi-5.