Top Pick Stats: 245/715 (-$242.90) Best Bets: 30/65 ($5.00); Spot Plays: 13/65 (-$41.10) Best Bet: RONDA MAY K (Race 8) Spot Play: GREEK MANALISHI (Race 4) Early Pick-5: 1,2,6/1/2,3,4/6/2,3,4   $5.40 Late Pick-5: 8,9/4,6/1/4,7/4   $1.60 Race 1: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 2 (FM 3) RACES OR $21,000 (OS $28,500) LIFETIME. (1) IMA DINOSAUR produced a solid grind to end up getting a check last week. He is a horse that is clearly improving with each start around the Mohawk oval. I’ll give him the nod in a wide open event. (6) SAPPHIRE STEVE has rebounded nicely in his last two efforts after some sickness was affecting him. Hudon’s style fits this horse perfectly. (2) TH MONICA adds Lasix after a strong second in her morning prep a couple of weeks ago. Her problem has been herself over the last couple of months, but she could find a way to get a piece if she minds her manners. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: ONTARIO SIRES STAKES: GOLD LEG 5: 2 YEAR OLD PACING FILLIES. STARTING FEE $900 CDN ($700 USD). (1) A CLEAN DEAL came up short in her latest Gold try as the big favorite, but that was her first career defeat. She has been exceptional in the mornings and usually backs it up. A quarter move could be in the cards this time around. (5) DAYA was a “best of the rest” second place finish behind Loua Dipa, who is the top freshman filly in North America. She is a battler, and has taken the step to the Grand Circuit level in stride. (3) JEN TILLY tried to make a second move in the Shes A Great Lady Final, but was unable to sustain it and faded back through the pack. She is another nice filly, but hasn’t strung wins together yet. Race 3: POP UP SERIES: STARTERS FOR A PURSE OF $12,000 OR LESS IN L3 STARTS (W/O $45,000 IN 2025 N/E). AE: NW $25,000 IN 2025 (MIN 10 STARTS). L2. AE: L1 STARTERS. (3) MUSCLE FASHION was a strong winner on the front end in leg one of this series. The veteran has found his form again, for now, and is a logical horse to give the nod to. (4) JOHNNY BUCKSHOT got a confidence boosting win two starts ago, but came up short last week at the shortest of prices. This is a group that he should do well against on his best day, but a loss like that puts a feeling of hesitation around the horse. (2) WATERFALL has proven to be better off a helmet, but when he gets a trip like that, it usually results in him being mired in traffic or too far back to make a real impact. He has the ability, but things need to go his way. Race 4: ONTARIO SIRES STAKES: GOLD LEG 5. 2 YEAR OLD TROTTING FILLIES. STARTING FEE $900 CDN ($700 USD). (6) GREEK MANALISHI was difficult to judge after her first career start, because four horses made a break in that effort and left her to cruise up and draw away from her two rivals that stayed flat. She jumped up to the Champlain and I thought held her own despite finishing six lengths back. I think she has a high ceiling; I’ll take a swing. (3) BINGO NIGHT has yet to finish out of the money, but has been the runner up in three straight efforts. I would expect her to be the horse to catch when they turn for home. (4) CUPID HALL was a decent third in NW1 company after being forwardly placed. She has produced decent efforts at the Gold level in the past, and makes sense as a horse to use in exotics. Race 5: NW $3,200 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $7,000 LAST 8 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $20,000. (4) SERIOUSLY HANOVER gets a drop in class after finishing out of the money in four straight efforts. He is better than his 2-for-25 season record shows, but has not been given trips that are conducive to wins. I would look for a big effort tonight from a post that he can show speed from. (2) LETS GET ROCKED has found a stable home at this level, posting two wins in his last three outings. He is better when away from the rail, because he can use his gate speed more effectively, but a quarter move being in the cards would not surprise me. (3) ATLAS HANOVER was moving decently on the end of his mile last week. He wasn’t going to take any chances from post nine in the early stages, but eventually found his best stride and was able to snag a check. I think he will be better tonight and make more of an impact. Race 6: ONTARIO SIRES STAKES: GOLD LEG 5. 2 YEAR OLD TROTTING COLTS & GELDINGS. STARTING FEE $900 CDN ($700 USD). (8) TROUBLE WITH NAMES was a sharp winner in an overnight where he was supposed to win. He has more in the tank, and as he gets more starts under his belt, he should continue to improve. I’ll give him the nod as he steps back up to stakes company. (9) STROBE LITE parlayed two sharp wins into a Mohawk Million try, but made an early miscue and finished far back. He is a logical contender despite the wide draw. (2) TOUCHEDBYANANGEL also comes off a race where he made an early miscue, but that can be forgiven. His early gate speed could get him in a perfect spot, just like two starts ago when the seas parted. Race 7: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 3 (FM 4) RACES OR $60,250 LIFETIME. AE: 4 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER OPT. CLM. $60,000. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE. (6) WILDTURKEY HANOVER is showing consistency, which is something that has been lacking in his form for the majority of his career. I think he can work out a trip and sprint by in the stretch at a square price. (4) ZETTE ATHENA is best when McClure is in the bike, and he leans her way tonight. She took a lot of air on the outside in the Elegant Image Final, but still almost got a check. She fits well at this level. (3) TITIAN spoiled her effort last week with a break, and spoiled the bettors who pounded her to 1-5. What version do we get tonight? I will take my chances that it isn’t a winning one. Race 8: ONTARIO SIRES STAKES: GOLD LEG 5. 2 YEAR OLD TROTTING FILLIES. STARTING FEE $900 CDN ($700 USD). (1) RONDA MAY K was excellent in her latest, drawing away from conditioned rivals with ease. She gets a deserving try against Gold foes tonight, and should be a main contender. (5) FLOWING TRIBUTE has been no worse than second in five tries, with four coming at the Gold level. She is likely to be your favorite. (2) LO AND BEHOLD was a solid winner when dropping from Gold company. I’d have to imagine she is brimming with confidence coming into tonight; She can pick up a piece. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 9: POP UP SERIES: STARTERS FOR A PURSE OF $12,000 OR LESS IN L3 STARTS (W/O $45,000 IN 2025 N/E). AE: NW $25,000 IN 2025 (MIN 10 STARTS). L2. AE: L1 STARTERS. (4) HANDSOME SEBASTIAN took advantage of his main rival making a break and flaunted his back class en route to a win. He has a big chance to repeat. (7) BELLA CAVALLA just held on for the win in her first start in over a month. McNair gives her the nod tonight and should be aggressive off the car again. (1) TACTICAL STRIKE spoiled any chance of taking down Handsome Sebastian when she made a break before the start and ended up being a parimutuel refund. I would look for her to work out a mid-pack trip and get a piece. Race 10: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 2 RACES OR $31,000 (OS $37,500) LIFETIME. AE: 3 & 4 YEAR OLDS N/A $2,950 P/S IN 2024-25. (4) CAVIART SEACREST is hard to pick against after two easy wins. The sub-1:50 mile two starts ago was no fluke, as he paced home under wraps and moved to 2-for-2 at Mohawk. You’ll have to swallow the shortest of prices. (2) TWIN B COURAGEOUS returned after a year off and was a very good second in his morning prep behind Chantilly. Showing that kind of speed right away is a very encouraging sign. (5) MAGICAL BET has finished second in two straight starts, but both trips were very different. If he can work out a tracking trip this week, I can see him hanging on for a piece.