Top Pick Stats: 255/735 = -$78 Best Bets: 18/68 = –$10.60; Spot Plays: 19/68 = +2.40 Best Bet: ANGOSTURA HANOVER (Race 2) Spot Play: CENTURY KOMODO (Race 1) Early Pick 5: 2/6/4/5,6,10/2,5,7,9 = $2.40 All Stakes Pick 5: 4,5,8,9/3/4,6/3/4,5 = $3.20 Late Pick 5: 4,6/3/4,5/6/1,6 = $1.20 Race 1: OPEN. (2) CENTURY KOMODO never had a chance when he got away at the back in his latest effort. He was moving well at the end of it despite not hitting the ticket and is one who might be able to work out a better trip with an inside draw. I’ll side with him in the opener and hope he can kick off the card as a winner. (3) SEVEN COLORS came first up in the Battle of Lake Erie and tired Shockley in the teeth of some very quick panels. He was a good 2nd in his start prior to a sharp winner and is one that should have every opportunity to bounce back with a good performance, so long as that tough journey last weekend didn’t take a little out of him. (6) SOARING NOW was gapping his cover in his latest and didn’t show much interest when taking on tougher company. He draws better and should be competitive with this group if he’s on his game, but I’ll side to play against him. (7) REDWOOD HANOVER is coming if off a sharp qualifying score and is one that looks sharp enough off that prep to close for a piece.  Race 2: FILLIES & MARES, NW $15,000 LAST 5 STARTS. AE: NW $80,000 IN 2025. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] (6) ANGOSTURA HANOVER is coming off a 5th place effort in her latest in the Fillies and Mare Preferred. She was moving well in that effort despite not hitting the board and is back at a level where she was a strong winner two starts back. I’ll give her top honours here. (8) TELLS ON A ROLL got a nice confidence boosting victory, going gate to wire vs. lesser company than she’s accustomed to facing in that effort. She draws outside but can leave out aggressively if she elects to. If she’s on her game she’s on that merits plenty of respect, but I’ll slot her underneath to the one above. (1) SO MUCH MORE is coming off a 3rd place effort in the Forrest City Pace at Western Fair. The tipped off cover and raged well enough to be 3rd and should appreciate being back in the big track. She has failed to find the winner’s circle over her last 10’tries and will have every chance to do exactly that if she’s on her game. (2) SORCHA SEELSTER didn’t have much to offer in the stretch drive last time out. She didn’t hit the board in that contest and will come into this start with the same draw to work with. Bob McClure picks up the drive and she can close for a piece.  Race 3: ROSES ARE RED FINAL: (GR 1). 3 YEAR OLDS AND OLDER - FILLIES AND MARES. (4) TWIN B JOE FRESH comes into this race off a winning qualifier in preparation for this stakes event. She captured the Betsy Ross Memorial at Chester in dominant fashion, and this daughter of Roll With Joe will look to build off an incredible 2024 campaign that saw her capture Horse of the Year honors in the US. She should be able to defend her title and capture the Roses Are Red title for the 2nd year in a row. (3) AARDIE B MIKI N has faced defeat just once this season and that was a 5th place effort in her most recent try in the Betsy Ross Memorial where she competed vs. the choice. She exited a 2nd place qualifying prep where she chased the one above and paced home very strongly to make up ground. She is one I’m intrigued to watch compete on the big track and could prove as the biggest threat to the one above. (1) MY GIRL E J will make her 2nd start of 2025 after a 2nd place effort to the choice in her seasonal debut. She will have every chance to round out the exacta. (7) SYLVIA HANOVER rallied nicely late in the mile to notch a victory in a Fillies and Mares Preferred. Her late speed will allow her to close for a share late. Race 4: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 2 RACES OR $30,000 (OS $38,500) LIFETIME. (10) BRUNO NO NO NO was the easiest of winners after converting off a pocket trip in his latest. He was under very tight lines to driver Bob McClure in that effort and appeared to have a lot left in his victory. He will have to start from the outermost post but is one I’m willing to side with in this spot despite it. (6) SMILING DANCER wasn’t a factor in his latest try at any point in the mile. He will pick up the services of leading driver James MacDonald and will start from the winningest post, and he could prove tough to fend off late in the mile. He’s the one to beat. (5) SILVERWALLS overcame an outside post to pull off an upset victory. He had been racing very well coming into that outing, having won 5 out of 6 this season and was one that was overlooked. He draws much better and comes into this race having proved he can compete vs. a group like this, and merits respect. (7) GRIN AND WIN left out aggressively and was stuck behind the rave favorite as he was looking for room up the inside to re rally. He got a seam up the inside but couldn’t outkick the one above and had to settle for a 2nd place finish. He’s racing well and is capable of a share. Race 5: NW $15,000 LAST 5 STARTS OR NW $26,000 LAST 10 STARTS. (9) JABBERWOCKY was aggressively handled in his latest and was used very hard in the process. He made a couple of moves in the teeth of some quick panels and still finished 3rd and was moving forward at the wire. He draws outside but this is one who can make the front off that effort and he seems to be trending in the right direction. I’ll side with him in that spot in what is a competitive affair. (7) GEM QUALITY was locked in behind rivals two starts back in the first leg of the Graduate series for open pacers, and then stepped up to take on Preferred company last time out. He was first over in that contest and got rebuffed by the pace setter who went on to be a sharp winner. He finds himself in a much better spot, and you can argue he’s the one to beat this evening. (2) CODENAME CIGARBOX was 3rd in his most recent race, behind a rival who was sitting on a huge effort. He was pacing quickly late in the mile to secure the show pot, and is one that comes into having hit the board in three straight tries. He will have speed to chase and will prove as a danger late in the mile; beware. (5) P L OZZY draws the center of the gate this evening and is one that could put a wrench into this contest. He hasn’t hit the board in two straight tries but could very well be put in play in this spot. Race 6: 3 YEAR OLD OPEN. (8) PAPIS PISTOL hasn’t hit the board in his first two tries, but has put forth solid efforts in each of those outings. It was a tough spot for him coming into those races having not had a pari-mutuel start in preparation for his seasonal debut, and finds himself in a field of colts where he should be given every chance to work out a good trip. He picks up the driving services of Doug McNair in what is his third start back, and he will be given every opportunity this evening; top call. (6) AYEAYE CAPTAIN DEO has started off his sophomore campaign off to a positive note, winning 3 of 4 tries this season. He was a game 2nd to a rival who will be competing in the North America Cup in the program, and is the one to beat here. He draws well and will hope to have a target to chase, because that’s when this colt seems to be at his best.  (9) TH KAY C CRUNCH failed to hit the board in his latest after getting jammed up on the backside in his North America Cup elimination. He has hit the board in two of four starts this year and will have every chance to grab a big piece, even from the outside. (10) PANTS ON FIRE was the 4th place finisher in his North America Cup elim and wasn’t within the top three despite pacing home in sub :26. He starts from the far outside and will have to overcome what should be a host of leavers. He can close for a share. Race 7: ARMBRO FLIGHT FINAL: (GR 2). 3 YEAR OLDS AND OLDER - FILLIES AND MARES. (4) CALL ME GOO removed to the lead in her Armbro Flight elimination and she tired to be 3rd. She had a good qualifier leading up to that elimination and should be even better with a start under her belt. She was Ake’s choice of three rivals in this contest and is one I’ll side with to come up with an improved showing this evening. (5) DIAL SQUARE S comes into this final as the sharpest mare in this field, winning her first two starts of the year. She was full of herself in her seasonal debut and responded with an off the pace victory in her latest. She has flashed versatility and merits plenty of respect here. James MacDonald picks up a live drive this evening. (9) NELSONBRITEAGLE NO never looked comfortable when she was trotting in her latest and finished 4th in her elim. She is a mare that needed a few starts to get into gear last year in this division and it wouldn’t surprise me if she showed up with a big effort. Dexter Dunn is aboard and I’d expect him to be aggressive despite an outside draw. (8) DRAWN IMPRESSION looked like a winner turning for home off A 2nd over trip and ended up finishing 2nd in her elim. She got picked off by a rival who worked out a clean trip.   Race 8: MOHAWK GOLD CUP: (GR 3).  INVITATIONAL. (3) OAKWOOD ARDAN IR is coming into this race off a sharp win in his 2nd start of the season. He left out aggressively from pp4 and sat in the pocket behind some quick panels, and angled out at the head of the lane to score. It was the first time in a while he flashed some early footing off the gate and he should greatly benefit from having an inside draw to work with, and should have plenty of speed to chase. He’s one I’ll use on top and hope for some value. (5) NIJINSKY is coming off a nice victory where he was stretched out in the process. He paced some quick panels throughout and was a little bit leg weary late but was still an easier winner than it appeared. He draws the middle of the gate and will have options in terms of how he wants to be raced, and merits respect. (6) BRUE HANOVER is undoubtedly the sharpest horse entering this contest, and this will be his toughest task this year. He comes into this race having won 10 of 13 tries, and will pick up driver Yannick Gingras who has guided him to 5 wins in 11 career starts that they’ve been paired together. He will be all systems go but I’ll try to beat him. (8) ABUCKABETT HANOVER was moving well late in the mile to be 3rd. He was up against it from the moment he drew pp10 in that outing and he should be able to work out a better trip this evening. He was the top aged pacer in 2024 and he merits respect coming into this contest.  Race 9: GOODTIMES FINAL: (GR 2). 3 YEAR OLD COLTS AND GELDINGS. (4) EMOTICON LEGACY parlayed a perfect, 2nd over tow into a winning trip in his Goodtimes elimination. It was a perfect way to kick off his sophomore campaign, and this well bred son of Walner out of Emoticon Hanover should have every opportunity to capture this contest. Louis-Philippe Roy will have options in regards to what trip he wants to give this colt and his post gives him the flexibility to do just that. (6) LANDING ON TIME was handled conservatively in his elimination after getting away towards the back of the pack despite drawing pp4. He came away from that elim being a sharp 2nd and will now draw pp6 in this final. This son of Tactical Landing has started off his sophomore campaign racing well and should be aggressively handled in this spot; he merits respect. (5) LMC WAGON WHEEL got away last in his elim and still finished a hard-charging 3rd in what was a very strong showing. He draws the center of the gate in this spot and I’m not expecting anything but an aggressive approach this evening. (2) GAP KRONOS S finished 4th in his elimination after making a couple of moves in the process. He should be sharper in his 2nd start of 2025, and is one that should be competitive vs. this bunch, but is one I’ll slot for a share.  Race 10:  FAN HANOVER FINAL: (GR 1). 3 YEAR OLD FILLIES. (3) CHANTILLY comes into this Fan Hanover final off a dominant score in her elimination. She powered her way to the lead in that contest and scored under very tight lines to driver James MacDonald. This filly is a perfect 12-12 to start off her young career, and I’ll side with her to keep her perfect streak intact, in what will be her toughest task to date. (5) MIKI AND MINNIE couldn’t have looked any better in her elimination victory, just ripping off cover to fly home under a death grip to driver Dexter Dunn. This Breeders Crown champion captured divisional honors here in the U.S. and will give the choice a major run for her money this evening. This looks like a two horse affair and for good reason. (1) CANT SEE ME hung on to be 2nd in her elimination, after moving to the lead after the opening panel. She had no answer for the one above, but was still best of the rest, pacing home in :26 flat. She has hit the board in 10 of 13 starts and should have every opportunity to do exactly that here. (2) THE LAST MARTINI was a distant 2nd to the choice in her elimination. She has hit the board in 11 of 12 lifetime starts and should have every opportunity to hit the ticket. Race 11: PEPSI NORTH AMERICA CUP XLII FINAL: (GR 1). 3 YEAR OLDS. (4) LOUPRINT enters this lucrative final a perfect 4-4 to start his sophomore campaign. He held on by the slimmest of margins in his elimination victory, but that effort was better than it appeared. Ronnie Wrenn Jr. shut down this colt more than halfway down the lane, after thinking he put away his biggest threat, but had to quickly reengage when a live rival shook loose and began pacing up a storm to get there. He never got passed even after the wire and the plugs were still in during that winning effort. He’s done nothing wrong for me to go against him in this spot and draws the winningest post position in this specific race; he gets top billing here. (5) LITE UP THE WORLD was in a bad spot off the gate in his elimination, with top 3 guaranteeing a spot in the final. He watched plenty of action unfold early on in the mile and showed off some major wheels late. He paced home in :26 flat and felt like a blur in the lane passing everyone in the stretch, and turned plenty of heads in that performance. If he is within striking distance coming into this final, he could prove tough to fend off. (6) CAPTAIN OPTIMISTIC was the gutsiest of the elimination winners, converting off a first over trip to score. He dug in right through the wire and put away the pace setter and was able to hold off a hard-charging rival up the inside. He merits plenty of respect and has proven he can do it any which way. (9) PRINCE HAL HANOVER just missed to the choice after shaking loose late in the mile. He might get dismissed because of where he draws but he has been racing as good as anyone in this final.  [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 12: NW $9,500 LAST 5 STARTS. (6) WRITE ME A ROSE plummets down the class ladder here in what is a far softer group. He should have no issues taking advantage of the class drop and will be a short price to boot. (8) WHICHWAYTOTHEBEACH was a solid 4th in his latest after making multiple moves in that effort. He was moving forward at the wire and is one that I would’ve pegged on top in this spot, had the one above not been drawn into this contest. (5) TROSA A never had a chance from pp10 in his latest. He failed to hit the board but was still moving well late in the mile. He draws pp5 in this spot and he can take a step forward. (4) AMERICAN HISTORY hasn’t hit the board in five consecutive tries, and will not come into this contest having not raced in over one month. He can hit the ticket but I’ll need to see a positive showing from him before I can consider him a serious player.  Race 13: CLAIMING $50,000. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE & SEX. (1) ORDER ONE TO GO failed to hit the board in his most recent try and was claimed out of that contest by new trainer Garry Merner Jr. He will start from the pole position here and could work out a stalking trip, in a race that could be chaotic to close out this Hi-5. Jason Bartlett will stick around to guide this new recruit and I’ll side with him in the finale. (6) DRAGONONTHEBEACH was a winner vs. tougher company in his latest and will not race in for $50k this evening. He will be tough to beat if he’s on his game, but we’ve seen inconsistent efforts from him in the past. I’ll slot him in underneath, but that might be wishful thinking. (3) LARRY KARR exits a 3rd place effort after being aggressively handled in that outing trying to make the lead. He draws inside, and I’d expect him to be forwardly placed in this spot again. He can stick around for a share. (9) HOWMAC VICTOR was leaving out of the gate, before taking back to work out what ended up being a winning trip. He has the gate speed to overcome the outside draw, but will have to find more to fend off the main two if he has to work harder to get close to the lead. (7) WINMEBAK never had a chance from pp10 and got jammed up in the process. This is a longshot that could result in being a good use on hi-5 tickets this evening. (11) HP LIS SHADOW wasn’t a factor whatsoever and is coming off a poor performance. He’ll have to start from the 2nd-tier and is one that could sneak his way on the ticket if he’s at his best.