Top Pick Stats: 62/210 = -$69.40 Best Bets: 6/21 = –$16.70 Spot Plays: 3/21 = $-16.90 Best Bet: GRIT N GRACE (RACE 2) Spot Play: EMMETTS BUDDY (RACE 1) Early Pick 5: 3/6/1,7,8/1,5,6,9/1,5,9 = $7.20 Late Pick 5: 5,6,7/5/8/3,6/2,5 = $2.40 Race 1: NW $25,500 LAST 5 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $100,000. (3) EMMETTS BUDDY exits the New Holland Series Final off a 4th place finish. He had a chance to go first up but sat along the cones, where he found a seam late to grab a share. He likely would’ve been no match for a winner who swept the series, but finds himself in a perfect spot here to pick up his first win of 2025. (8) FORTIFY failed to hit the board in his first start of 2025. He was aggressively handled in that contest in what was a sharp field and he should benefit from having a start under his belt; he can improve. (2) NO CONTROL cruised to a nice, qualifying victory as he gears up for his 7th start of 2025. This 5YO son of Control The Moment has been winless this year and has not put forth performances we’ve he’s capable of showing, but comes into this race adding Lasix. He is a contender in his first start back. (7) REDWOOD HANOVER faced softer company but absolutely crushed them in what was a big mile. He takes a step up here but should be brimming with confidence off that performance but is likely up against it this evening. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: FILLIES & MARES, NW $14,000 LAST 5 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $70,000. AE: NW $100,000 LIFETIME. AE: NW $41,500 IN 2024-2025. (6) GRIT N GRACE rallied nicely to be 2nd in her latest. She stepped up in class in that effort and drew outside but still was able to put forth a strong effort, and is one that should be able to build off that start and is our clear top choice here. (4) RAPTORS WON has been no worse than 3rd over her last 4 tries, with three of them being wins. She draws well and should be right there at the finish. (3) CAVIAR N CRACKERS was up against it having drawn post 10. She draws much better and is going to be a threat if she’s anywhere close turning for home. (1) CHIEFS DREAM GIRL flashed a strong late kick in her latest to pull off a nice victory. She steps up in class but she is good enough to secure a share. Race 3: NW $8,000 LAST 5 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $50,000. AE: N/A $1,810 P/S IN 2024-25. (1) HUNGRY MAN was chasing a rival who ended up clocking a big mile in his latest. He drops down in class and should be competitive in this spot and I’ll give him top billing. (7) SERGEANT SLAUGHTER was aggressively handled in his latest and got beat by a class dropper who was going to be tough to beat. He makes his 2nd start for new trainer Garry Merner Jr. and will be involved in the mix early. (8) HIGHLANDBEACHLOVER fended off the one above to secure a 2nd place finish. He draws outside but shows versatility and is one that is capable of a big effort. (2) SERIOUSLY HANOVER finished up okay in his latest and is one that is capable of closing late for a share. Race 4: FILLIES & MARES, NW $8,000 LAST 5 OR $17,500 LAST 10 STARTS.  AE: OPT. CLM. $50,000. (5) STYLE FOR A MILE ships in from tries at The Meadowlands and will return here to Mohawk under the care of Dave Menary. She steps up in class but is no stranger to racing at this level and is one that will likely be summoned off the wings of the gate early, and could find the winner’s circle here. (9) COZ IM SPECIAL has rattled off 4 straight victories. She will make her first start in a few weeks but is one that is brimming with confidence; using. (1) BETTORNOTMACHME has hit the board in three straight tries at this level and is one that merits respect here. (6) WILDCAT STAR is coming off a 3rd place effort in her latest and she should have a chance to hit the ticket again. Race 5: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 2 RACES OR $30,000 (OS $37,500) LIFETIME. (1) BLAZING CRUISER was working out a second-over trip before jumping it off before the final turn. He should be competitive in this spot but will have to mind his manners, first and foremost. I’ll give him the nod in a tough race to close out this early pick 5 sequence. (9) HONOLULU VACATION was moving well between rivals in his latest to grab a share. He draw further outside and will need more to go his way, but is one that could get a big piece with the right trip. (5) STAY LONGER will make his 3YO debut off a pair of qualifiers. He draws well and could be ready to put forth a good effort at first asking vs. a group that hasn’t been consistent as of late. (7) SETTHEWORLDONFIRE hasn’t hit the board over his last two starts, but was 2nd at this level three starts ago. He can hit the ticket. Race 6:  FILLIES & MARES, 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 3 RACES OR $50,000 (OS $92,500) LIFETIME. (5) COCCO PUFF POWER was aggressively handled in her latest and got picked off late in the mile. She added Lasix in that effort and she is one that might benefit from working out a trip with a target to chase, and is one I’ll go back to this week and hope for a change in tactics. (6) SWIFT TALKER was aggressively handled from pp8 and finished 3rd, behind the choice. She draws better here and she should be in the mix early once again. (7) SUNSHINE MAGIC was a winner at this class last time out when she picked off rivals late to score. She should be right in the mix and will have every chance to double up. (3) LOVE ON ME closed late for a share in her latest and can do the same here as well. Race 7: POP UP SERIES: HORSES & GELDINGS NW $15,000 IN 2025 OR NOT AVERAGING $1,400 PER START IN 2024 OR 2025 (5) WIND BLOWN is coming off a dominant score in his latest, where blew away his rivals by nearly 7 lengths. He added Lasix in that contest after a few subpar efforts and he should be good enough to double up here. (7) STONEBRIDGE HELIOS was aggressively handled in his first of 2025 but faded to 4th. He has the ability and back class to be competitive in this spot, but needs to dig deep to find that form in order to beat the choice. (4) NEPTUNE N was 2nd to the choice in his latest. He draws well and should be able to grab a share here. (8) ROCK AND TWIST rounded out the super in his latest and is one that can do the same here as well. Race 8: NW $14,750 LAST 5 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $70,000. AE: NW $105,000 LIFETIME. (8) WRITE ME A ROSE made his return to the Ontario circuit but hooked a very sharp group at first asking. He made a miscue in that start but takes a dip in class and should be aggressively handled here, and gets top billing. (3) JACK PANIC exits the New Holland Series and was never a factor in the final. He takes a dip in class, draws well, and should be in the mix early; contender. (5) COLD CREEK QUESO is another one that exits the New Holland Series to no avail. He hasn’t hit the board over his last three tries but is one that should have every chance here.  (6) TROSA A has been racing very well as of late, and was 2nd to a dominant winner in his latest. He has been closing late for shares and he can do exactly that here. Race 9: PREFERRED. (3) MERIGO MAGIC comes off a 3rd place effort in his latest at this level. He got away in the pocket and looked very live in the stretch, but had absolutely nowhere to go. He should be tight coming into this start and I’ll hope he has clear sailing this evening; top call. (6) BRUE HANOVER swept the New Holland Series and was dominant in each and every leg. He will race vs. Preferred company this evening and is one that is sharp enough to continue his winning ways. (2) TAURASI was a gutsy, first-over winner in his latest. He bounced back in a big way and took plenty of support in that contest, and is one that will have every opportunity to find the winner’s circle yet again. (4) ODDS ON CAPITALISM got picked off just before the line to the one above. He draws well, should be aggressively handled early and will be in the mix in what is a very wide open race. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 10: POP UP SERIES: HORSES & GELDINGS NW $15,000 IN 2025 OR NOT AVERAGING $1,400 PER START IN 2024 OR 2025 (5) LARCENY never really had much of a chance when he got away towards the back of the pack from pp10. He draws the middle of the gate here and should be among the main contenders in this opening leg of this Pop Up Series. (2) STONE CARVER was aggressively handled in his latest and got picked off by a rival who worked out a perfect trip. He put away a few rivals in that contest and is one that is coming in very sharp; contender. (4) MR IBIZA N returns here to Mohawk after a single start in Ottawa. He will return to the Shayne Barrington barn and draws well in this contest. He is winless in nine starts this year but should find this group more to his liking. (1) CONTROL THE POWER never hit the board in his latest, but is one that should have every chance to hit the ticket here. Race 11: HORSES THAT HAVE STARTED FOR A PURSE OF $15,000 OR LESS IN ONE OF LAST 5 STARTS. – MANDATORY HI-5 PAYOUT  (3) MOMMA SON BYRNE was stuck behind a tiring rival and found a seam when it was too late. He draws well here and is one that should have every opportunity to find the winner’s circle, and is one that I’ll be keying on top in this wide-open, mandatory hi-5 race. (1) STORMALONG was aggressively handled in his latest and faltered to 7th. He was in vs. tougher company and is one that should be able to work out a cozy trip, especially from the rail. (4) ROCKABILLY REBEL N slipped up the inside to secure a 3rd place finish in his latest. He can build off that effort and will have every opportunity to land on the ticket. (2) KOLBY TWO STEP came first up in his latest and was put away by a determined pace setter. He can grab a bigger piece with a different trip and will have every opportunity to land on the ticket. (12) ELLIOT MOOSE has been 1st and 2nd respectively over his last two tries, and is one that should be able to close for a share despite drawing the 2nd-tier in this spot.