Top Pick Stats: 198/608 (-$236.20) Best Bets: 23/55 (-$6.30) Spot Plays: 10/56 (-$47.10) Best Bet: DAYA (Race 8) Spot Play: CENTURY KOMODO (Race 2) Early Pick-5: 3,8/2,3/3,8/4,6/4,6   $6.40 Middle Pick-5: 6/2,6/2/4/1   $0.40 Late Pick-5: 2/4/1/3,6/2,3,5   $1.20 Race 1: NW $9,000 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $18,000 LAST 8 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $50,000. AE: NW $60,000 LIFETIME. (8) DIRTY LIL PIGLET held his own at this level last week with a strong second place finish after setting blistering fractions. This group has proven its class in the past, but he has proven his ability in the last two months. I’ll look for him to go down the road. (3) BOLD SPIRIT steps up off the claim but has the tactical speed to get into a good spot off the car. He always seems to loom as a trip out possibility, and his price could be inflated this week. (2) HEAD HONCHO was caught up in a fast pace last week and ultimately faded back to sixth. He tends to have more punch after following fractions like that. I’ll look for him to produce a rebound effort. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: PREFERRED. (2) CENTURY KOMODO has been pacing some big miles in recent weeks and nearly stole last week’s race at a double digit price. He was pacing extremely well in the final 20 strides, and has the ability to trip out at a square number tonight. I know (3) CALICOJACK HANOVER was a sharp winner two back, but expecting him to win from off the pace like that seemed unrealistic. He finished just over a length behind the winner and gets Louis Roy back tonight. (4) REMEMBER THE ALAMO came up empty as the big favorite after a front-end try. He draws better tonight, but Roy goes elsewhere. Race 3: NW $6,000 LAST 4 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $30,000. (3) STONEBRIDGE HELIOS was moving extremely well in the stretch and nearly pulled off a big upset for the new barn. McNair knows him well and could work out a winning trip. (8) CAPTAIN FEAR NOT gets a big drop in class and should definitely fit at this level. He could be driven more aggressively tonight. (1) WINMEBAK has two decent qualifiers under his belt and returns in an easier spot than what he had been facing, but it’s hard to support a horse who has raced six times in the last two years. We’ll see how ready he is tonight. Race 4: SHE'S A GREAT LADY ELIMINATION: 2 YEAR OLD FILLIES. STARTING FEE: $3,000 CDN $2,325 USD. (6) LOUA DIPA missed the board for the first time in her career after a fifth place finish in the PA Sire Stake Final. She had to go a :26 and change third quarter to get in contention, and only lost by just over a length in the end. I’ve been a big fan of this full sister to Looksgoodinloulou from day one. (4) PERFECT THOUGHT got a perfect trip in the New Jersey Classic Final and sprinted away from her rivals. She should have every chance to get a similar trip if she is good enough on the night. (3) IM A LOU LOU capitalized on the cover provided by Loua Dipa and finished second in that aforementioned PASS Final. She is another main contender in a strong but short field. Race 5: FILLIES & MARES PREFERRED. (6) GRIT N GRACE got back to her winning ways last week with a front-end trip. Her last three starts have given the impression that she is ready to get her picture taken at this level again. (4) ABSOLUTION vaulted off cover two starts ago and finished a good third at the top level. Last week, she closed extremely well again despite the winner getting a cheap middle half. She should be looked at as a contender until her form goes away. (3) IN THE SPOTLIGHT N was conservatively handled in last week’s Open which gave her no chance against the likes of Sylvia Hanover. She has been sharp at the Preferred level in recent months. Race 6: METRO PACE ELIMINATION: 2 YEAR OLD OPEN. STARTING FEE: $5,000 CDN $3,875 USD. (6) BEAU JANGLES is the undefeated Phenom of this division who has been under wraps in every start. He has two new shooters from the states to deal with, but I think he puts them away as he has with everyone else. (3) AL PAPI could wind up as Burke’s best freshman colt pacer by the time November rolls around, but he has been beaten on the square by Frantic Hanover twice now. Regardless, he is a strong contender in this race and in the final. (5) SWEET LOVIN LOU never had any room after sitting in the pocket behind Tilthecowscomehome. I would look for him to be forward again and produce another quality effort. Race 7: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 2 RACES OR $30,000 (OS $37,500) LIFETIME. (6) CAVIART SEACREST is a well bred colt who has been sharp to start his sophomore season at Rideau Carleton. He ships to Mohawk and picks up leading driver James Macdonald. He could be in for a big effort tonight. (2) SMILING DANCER has been flying home off the pace, but hasn’t been able to do nearly as much damage against the likes of Backup Plan and Allstar Maniac. This is an easier bunch that he could swoop if he finds a live helmet. (1) FIVE STAR LOU is slowly rounding into the form of a horse that can fit at this level. His versatility makes him a logical threat to hit the board. Race 8: SHE'S A GREAT LADY ELIMINATION: 2 YEAR OLD FILLIES. STARTING FEE: $3,000 CDN $2,325 USD. (2) DAYA was able to sustain her second over bid in the Champlain and would have won if the rail didn’t open up for Fabulous Hanover. I think she will have every chance in this race, whether on the lead or from the pocket. (6) JEN TILLY tried to step away from rivals at the top of the stretch, but came back to them slightly and could not hold off Naughty Delight. Gingras gets back in the bike, which could make her a touch overbet. (4) JAY has had to work in her last two against these types, and the results haven’t been pretty. In a shorter field, she could sit close without much effort and sprint for a piece. Race 9: METRO PACE ELIMINATION: 2 YEAR OLD OPEN. STARTING FEE: $5,000 CDN $3,875 USD. (4) FRANTIC HANOVER is another unbeaten superstar who ships North of the border. He won effortlessly two starts ago and cruised in the PASS Final. He should shine tonight. (5) TILTHECOWSCOMEHOME got picked off by Windor who produced a huge effort last week. The bridesmaid syndrome might not just be against Beau Jangles. (3) SUPERCHAMP HANOVER makes his second start on Lasix after a good fourth place finish from off the pace. Travis Alexander tends to have his horses ready when he ships them. Race 10: MILTON STAKES FINAL: (GR 2). FILLIES & MARES 3 YEAR OLDS & OLDER. STARTING FEE: $1,500 CDN $1,150 USD. (1) SYLVIA HANOVER got a perfect tightener into her last week, and gets Tim Tetrick back for tonight’s big money final. I think she can get the best of her main rival once again. (5) TWIN B JOE FRESH is that main rival who comes off two sharp winning qualifiers after a few weeks off. Dunn should have her in a winning spot if she is good enough, and we know she can be. I wanted to take a swing with (7) KOBES GIGI, but she has been regularly beaten by the top two when dancing at the top. I think she can get a piece. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 11: NW $12,000 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $29,500 LAST 8 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $70,000. AE: NW $125,000 LIFETIME. I’ll be stubborn and try (3) PACINO HANOVER again, knowing full well that he is a horse that needs a setup and those can be hard to come by at a level like this. He should offer decent enough value and doesn’t tend to go many starts at this level without contending for the win. (6) ITS MAJOR MAJOR A had to rough it first over last week and had to settle for third. I think Borth gets aggressive early and marks himself as the one to catch. (5) ARBITRAGE HANOVER has produced decent efforts from off the pace in the past and could be the one to set up Pacino Hanover if he moves early enough. Race 12: NW $2,500 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $9,700 LAST 8 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $20,000. (3) AMERICAN HISTORY has had a subpar season for his standards, but recently came back with a qualifying win over Sylvia Hanover. The classy veteran can cruise against these if he is ready to go. You’ll have to swallow a short price on the likely favorite. (2) THUNDER COUNTRY nearly snagged a piece after racing from last with a bad post. He should get away in much better order tonight and can finish best of the rest. (5) CRUISE HANOVER got stuck behind horses after leaving out and by the time he needed to bring his best, it was too late. He can add some value to exotics if he gets a clean shot.