Top Pick Stats: 186/618 (-$306.80) Best Bets: 25/56 (-$13.70); Spot Plays: 15/58 (-$29.80) Best Bet: OSCEOLA (Race 7) Spot Play: PERFETTO (Race 10) Early Pick-5: 7,9/4,6/6,8/6/3,4   $3.20 Late Pick-5: 1,4,7/6/7/5,7/8   $1.20 Race 1: HORSES & GELDINGS CLAIMING $8,000. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE. (9) EARLY PLAY gets my nod to turn the tables on his main rival from last week. He will need to be activated in the early stages to secure a potential cover trip. (7) SUMMER DANCER got a perfect stalking trip last week when dropping to face these. He should be forward off the car and will likely produce another good effort. (3) BETTORHOLDONTIGHT spoiled his bounce back attempt with another break in stride. He could wind up as the value of the race if he minds his manners, but that’s not a risk I’m willing to take. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: OPEN. (6) HASTY BID is way better off a helmet, and took advantage of that fact in last week’s final quarter sprint. I’ll give him the nod to repeat. (4) PENNTELLER HANOVER didn’t lose much in defeat last week and has more than enough ability to contend with these top trotters. (2) MR BLUEBIRD was a good second last week and is likely to be right in the mix again. His use of gate speed has been extremely consistent. Race 3: NW $2,790 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $6,750 LAST 8 STARTS. (W/O $10,500 LAST 7 STARTS N/E). AE: NW OF A RACE IN 2026 (MIN 10 STARTS). (8) BLUE BAR is just better than these, plain and simple. A speed try is likely, and I think he paces these right off their feet. (6) NEEDABANKLOAN has some gate speed that gets used when he drops to levels like this. I can see him sitting a pocket trip to the favorite. (2) BEACHIN LINDY was way better in his latest and could be picking up the pieces while going by some discouraged rivals. Race 4: POP UP SERIES: STRTS FOR PURSE OF $10,000 OR LESS IN 2026 (WO $65,000 IN 2025-26 NE). AE: OPT. CLM. $12,500. LEG 2. AE: LEG 1 STRTS (CLM REMAIN IN FOR TAG). (6) LIVINTHEBEACHLIFE marked himself as a top series contender last week with his second down the road score in three weeks. He has been sharp since returning. (1) SAULSBROOK IAN gets a major post switch after being mired at the back in leg one. He should have much more to provide from mid-pack tonight. (4) SOUTHSIDE EDDY comes off back to back scores on the lead, but I don’t think he quite has the punch that Livinthebeachlife does. Race 5: POP UP SERIES: STRTS FOR PURSE OF $10,000 OR LESS IN 2026 (WO $65,000 IN 2025-26 NE). AE: OPT. CLM. $12,500. LEG 2. AE: LEG 1 STRTS (CLM REMAIN IN FOR TAG). (3) THAI TOUR backed up his sharp win with a sharp second behind Southside Eddy. When he straightened out, he was pacing extremely well in the stretch. J-Mac gives him the nod, likely looking for another stalking trip. (4) LAMANDIER A is a bit tricky to read given his recent form, but I think he benefits from a weaker division and should get the kind of trip he needs. (2) TORONTO was better last week when dropping in class. He finds a somewhat similar field tonight when moving into this Pop-Up Series. Race 6: CLAIMING HANDICAP $12,000 TO $16,000. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE & SEX. ENTER IN MULTIPLES OF $1,000. I think it’s go time for (4) ALWAYS B SWEETEST after three efforts for the Macdonald barn where he consistently showed improvement. The short field helps. (1) TITANIC HANOVER is usually, appropriately, a sink or swim type, but he gets moved up after another claim, and a return to form makes him a contender. (7) PONDER NO LONGER could mix things up with a speed try. He has been facing some sharp rivals as of late. I think the board and will pays are major tells tonight. Race 7: NW $10,750 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $19,000 LAST 8 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $50,000. AE: NW OF A RACE IN 2026 (MIN 3 STARTS). Top trotter (6) OSCEOLA returns to action after just one qualifier, but a sharp one indeed. I’ll side with him right away. (4) USAIN HANOVER is better than these when he is right, though the last few weeks have shown he might not be firing on all cylinders. Still, it’s hard to overlook his raw ability against this group. (2) WILDTURKEY HANOVER has enough punch late in the mile which could add some value to exotics if he sits close. Race 8: WINNERS OF 3 (FM 4) BUT NOT MORE THAN 5 (FM 6) OR $80,000 (OS $100,000) LIFETIME. (7) MR WALNER FASHION was clearly best against the field he faced last week. It’s hard to see him not winning again, especially if he continues to step forward. (1) ROXIE HART trotted a good mile off the bench and should be closer to the leaders this week. She has always had good speed on the end of it. (3) ZETTE ATHENA showed some excellent speed towards the end of her sophomore campaign, but may need a start or two before she gets back to winning form. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 9: NW $6,100 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $12,000 LAST 8 STARTS. AE: NW $26,000 IN 2026. I don’t know how ready (5) SILVERWALLS will be after just one qualifier, but I do know he possesses a ton of speed. He was fun to watch last year against some of the top three-year-old pacers. (7) RBSTENACIOUS T gets away from some sharp pacers, but this group has some salty customers. A speed try is possible if he brings his A-Game. (2) HOWMAC VICTOR is a versatile upper-level claimer that shows good speed on both ends of the mile. I can see him getting another piece. Race 10: NW $6,200 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $16,000 LAST 8 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $30,000. AE: N/A $1,815 P/S IN 2025-2026. (8) PERFETTO is a horse I’ve never really been on the right side of, but he gets back on a regular rotation and should take plenty of support in what is a big drop in class. We’ll see if he shows up. (3) CHIC CHOC ROSE could show a little more gate speed tonight. Now that she finally isn’t starting in the parking lot, she should be a factor. (4) DISTANCE LEARNING got a week off after coming up short on the lead. He might be better if he can work out a stalking trip from up close.