Top Pick Stats: 216/621 = -$52.40 Best Bets: 15/58 = –$12.20; Spot Plays: 17/58 = +$4.60 Best Bet: UNCLE SHANK A (Race 6) Spot Play: STORM SHADOW (Race 13) Early Pick 5: 1,5,8/3/1/2,7/4,5,6 = $3.60 Middle pick 5: 7/4,6,7/4/6/3,9,10 = $1.80 Late pick 5: 6/3,9,10/7/1,3,8/6 = $1.80 Race 1: NW $17,500 LAST 5 OR NW $26,000 LAST 10 STARTS.. AE: OPT. CLM. $70,000. (8) VANDIEMEN BLUE CHIP left out aggressively in his latest, and was stuck in the pocket behind the eventual winner. He had no real estate and was searching for a seam but couldn’t get one. There was a good chance he finds the winner’s circle if he gets out, and I’ll side with him a week later to kick off this card, in what isn’t the easiest of spots. (1) ODDS ON CAPITALISM hasn’t been a factor over his last few tries in the Preferred and will now take a drop in class this evening. He is likely the one to beat in this spot as a result, and merits plenty of respect. (5) CODENAME CIGAR BOX went on a speed mission in his latest, and got picked off by a rival who was on his A-game. He draws the middle of the gate and will have options in regards to how he wants to race; he merits respect. (3) HUNGRY MAN is coming off a pair of tries at the Preferred where he was a major non-factor. He is back at a level where he should be competitive, and can grab a share. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: FAN HANOVER: ELIMINATION - 3 YEAR OLD FILLIES. (3) DURATION came up empty in a first over bid at Pocono and followed that up with an impressive, rallying effort at The Meadowlands in her latest. She drew pp9 in that contest and was taken off the gate immediately, but rallied extremely well to be 5th. I’m hoping she can sit on the favorite’s back in this contest and out spring her in this elim late (although that might be wishful thinking). (5) MIKI AND MINNIE is coming into this elimination with just one start, in what was a strong winning effort. The Breeders Crown champion at two will be awfully tough to beat, and merits the respect she’s going to get, but I’ll leave her off a pick 5 ticket and just hope I can capitalize on some value. (2) CANT SEE ME was scratched out of her latest try. This filly has had a pair of qualifying efforts under her belt, including a good 2nd place effort in her seasonal debut vs. older. She will have every opportunity to make the final here. (4) PERFECTLY CHIC was 3rd in her most recent try in an OSS gold. She draws well and should land on the ticket. Race 3: FAN HANOVER: ELIMINATION - 3 YEAR OLD FILLIES. (1) CHANTILLY bypassed the NA cup elims to compete in the Fan Hanover instead. She is perfect throughout her young career and will be the only to beat going into this elim. Starting from the rail might be a bit tricky, but it shouldn’t matter. (3) RODEO DRIVE DEO is coming into this elimination off a very nice score at Chester. She added Lasix in that contest after disappointing as the choice two back, and can put forth a competitive try.  (5) THE LAST MARTINI was a runner up in the Breeders Crown Final last year and flew under the radar for most of her rookie campaign. She comes into this event with a sharp score in a NYSS leg at Tioga Downs, and I’d expect her to be aggressively handled here. She can stick around for a share. (6) WESTWINDS is coming into this race having won 3 in a row. She had put forth some game performances in two of those efforts and was a tripped out winner in her latest, where she paced home well. She added Lasix here and can close for a piece. Race 4: PEPSI NORTH AMERICA CUP XLII: ELIMINATION - 3 YEAR OLD OPEN. (7) CAPTAIN OPTIMISTIC disappointed as the choice in his sophomore debut, getting out sprinted late by a colt who has been impressive early in this season. He should be tighter with a start under his belt and is the one to beat in this elimination. (2) BOURBON COUNTY worked out a second-over trip in his elimination, and uncorked a final quarter that was tied for the fastest of the night. This colt had speed, and he’ll have a good chance to close late for a berth in the final because of it.  (8) SWINGTOWN is coming for an easy victory in his latest, which was a nice prep for this NA cup elim. He will likely be aggressively handled despite drawing outside, but will need to find more to fend off the choice.  (3) JOEL AND THE JETS was scratched out of his latest after a nice win in his start prior. He did that from pp10 and can close for a share here, and is in with a shot at securing a spot in next week’s $1million final. Race 5: CLAIMING $50,000. (6) LARRY KARR came first up last week and got picked off right at the line by a rival who he towed into contention. He will get to start from the middle of the gate this evening, and should be even better with a start under his belt. His qualifiers heading into last week were sharp, and I expect it to be all systems go this evening; top call. (5) HOWMAC VICTOR was 3rd behind the choice in his latest and was aggressively handled despite an outside draw. He draws even better this evening and he’ll more than likely be cutting this mile, or sitting a pocket trip, you would think. (4) ORDER ONE TO GO tripped out to a winning score in his latest, as he got towed up into contention by the choice. He draws well again and should prove to be a major danger late in the mile yet again. (9) B STONEY just missed narrowly in his most recent try. He will have to start from the outside, but can pick up a share in this spot. Race 6: NW $9,000 LAST 5 STARTS OR NW $20,750 LAST 10 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $50,000. (7) UNCLE SHANK A was never involved at any point throughout the mile when he got away towards the back of the back. He was behind a wall of horses and appeared to have plenty of pace in that affair, with nowhere to go. He picks up a new pile but he should be ready to rock and is one that I’ll side with hers. (2) SOUTHSIDE EDDY rallied nicely from the back of the pack to round out the superfecta. He drew pp10 in that contest and should be able to work out a more aggressive trip this evening. (3) KAPTAIN KARLOS raced super for his first start for new trainer Tyler Moore, in what was a quality 3rd-place effort. Travis Henry will once again pilot this 5YO, and he should be more confident in him coming into tonight. (8) JACK PANIC hasn’t been much of a factor over his last several tries. He has the class to be competitive if he’s on his game, but I’ll have to see it. Race 7: PEPSI NORTH AMERICA CUP XLII: ELIMINATION - 3 YEAR OLD OPEN. (7) FALLOUT has finished 2nd in both of his starts this year, in what were good efforts. He will return back to the Campbellsville oval, where he was a perfect 2-2 here a year ago. He will be given every chance here and is one that I’ll side with in this elim. (6) SIPPINONSEAROC is coming off a paid training mile in an easy victory at Scioto Downs. He draws well, and should be coming into this contest sharp. You could argue he’s the one to beat (depending on who you talk to). (4) LITE UP THE WORLD came first up in his most recent try and towed the eventual winner into a perfect spot. He still posted a wicked back half in defeat and is one that is coming into the elimination sharp. He’ll have every chance to secure a spot in the final. (8) MADDEN OAKS is coming off a very impressive third place effort in his Somebeachsomewhere performance. He paced home extremely well, doing so in :26 2/5, which was tied for the fastest final quarter of the night. He draws terribly in this contest but can clinch a berth in the final if he can sit close turning for home. Race 8: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 2 RACES OR $30,000 (OS $37,500) LIFETIME. (4) REIGNING CAPTAIN was a distant 3rd to a pair of rivals who drew away from the rest of the field. This 3YO son of Captaintreacherous was moving well late in the mile despite not being in contention to finish a solid 3rd. He drew the rail in that contest and will draw a bit better this evening. I expect him to be pointed forward off the gate and he could prove tough to catch as a result. (2) TWIN B FRESH BET broke his maiden last time out with a dominant score. He added Lasix two starts back and has seemed to have responded nicely to it. He should be confident coming in and can build off that effort here. (6) GRIN AND WIN has been a non-factor over his last couple of tries. He draws well and is one that could prove tough to fend off if he can work out a favorable trip. (8) ZANDER worked out a third-over trip last time out and was able to secure the show spot. He draws outside but can grab a share. Race 9: PEPSI NORTH AMERICA CUP XLII: ELIMINATION - 3 YEAR OLD OPEN. (6) LOUPRINT will be making his first start north of the border as he gets set for his North America Cup elimination. He is coming off two easy victories and is labeled as the one to beat going into next week. He draws perfect and should prove tough to beat this evening. (3) DANDYS IDEAL is coming off a wicked qualifying score ahead of his North America Cup elim. He went a big mile that morning and is a colt that might be a little bit under the radar this evening. (1) PRINCE HAL HANOVER was a game winner in his latest when he fended off a sharp rival who worked out a perfect, pocket trip. He’s coming into this off a pair of good looking scores and he should be feeling good about himself. He starts from the pole position but will have every opportunity to make the final. (5) COURTS ON FIRE was a strong 3rd place finisher in his Somebeachsomewhere division. This colt impressed me in that outing and he is one that will be given every chance to make the final. Race 10: PREFERRED. (3) BRUE HANOVER was a multiple move winner in the Camluck Classic, before being DQ’d for going inside pylons. Regardless of the end result in that contest, this 5YO gelded son of Stay Hungry proved to be the best in that contest, and has been razor sharp since shipping into Canada. He draws inside and I’ll give him the nod to take down this group of salty pacers. (9) TAURASI was a strong runner up to a rival who has been sharp in two starts for new connections. He draws outside but has the gate speed to overcome that draw, and is racing himself back into form again. (10) ABUCKABETT HANOVER will be making his 2nd start of 2025, after being a non factor in the Maxi Lee Memorial at Chester. He draws pp10 which might hinder him from getting a good spot, in a race that consists of a lot of speed to his inside. He’s a big threat if he can work out a good trip. (2) SOARING NOW is a perfect 2-2 for new trainer Vic Puddy. He has been sharp in both of his winning efforts, but will lose the guy who piloted him to those victories to another rival. He picks up Jody Jamieson in this contest but takes on a tougher group overall. Race 11: FILLIES & MARES PREFERRED. (7) ODDS ON PLATINUM made a break on the opening turn at Western Fair in the Forest City Pace as the favorite in that contest and was out of it early. She had come back into shape as a 4YO and should appreciate being back on the big track here. She’ll look to go gate to wire in this contest and I think she can bounce back. (6) SYLVIA HANOVER closed nicely in her seasonal debut and just narrowly missed out to be 2nd. She should be even sharper coming into this contest and could be sitting on a big effort, but this could also be used as a prep ahead of next week’s Roses Are Red Final.  (3) CENTURY JAMILA narrowly fended off the one above after working out a perfect pocket trip. She couldn’t get anywhere near a razor sharp rival in that contest, and will have every chance to work out a similar trip this evening. (2) GRIT N GRACE was 2nd in the Forest City Pace at London despite a poor draw. She draws inside and has shown she’s capable of securing a share vs. this group. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 12: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 3 (OS 6) RACES OR $50,000 (OS $62,500) LIFETIME. (1) CONTROL ROCKS is coming off back-to-back victories and has looked better from one start to the other. He draws the rail control and will retain Billy Davis Jr., who guided him to a victory two starts back. He’s sharp and merits respect here. (3) TIP OF TIME rallied to be 2nd to the choice in his most recent. He draws better this week and might have a tactical advantage, but he’ll need to find a bit more if he wants to put him away. He’s a contender in this group, without a doubt. (8) D A LOVE BOAT wasn’t a factor in his Somebeachsomewhere division and will not race in this overnight and bypass the North America Cup. He draws outside and does his best work chasing, and he could very well work out a stalking trip here; using. (9) WARRAWEEFORLAURA has been much better over his last two tries, hitting the board in each of those starts. He has to start out from the far outside, which could prove to be a disadvantage, but he is racing well enough to close for a share. Race 13: NW $17,500 LAST 5 OR NW $26,000 LAST 10 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $70,000. (6) STORM SHADOW rallied nicely in the opening leg of the Graduate Series to be 4th in that contest. It came on a night where it was tough to make up ground from the back, but this cold showed some good late speed to do just that. He draws the middle of the gate and picks up driver Doug McNair, and I expect him to be aggressively handled in this spot.  (8) FORTIFY will be dropping in class this evening after being a non-factor over his last few tries. He should be able to compete with this group given the class he possesses, and that’s what his pilot Louis-Philippe Roy likely thinks, given he elected to go with him over be one above. (3) PACINO HANOVER hasn’t hit the board in three straight tries. He will not drop down and will draw inside; he’s one to monitor late. (1) CAPTAIN FEAR NOT cruised to a victory last time out, where he left his rivals in the dust. He is coming into this event confident, but will need to find more. (5) WHICHWAYTOTHEBEACH raced well to be 4th last time out. He draws well and can round out the Hi 5.