2025 MEET STATS: 328 - 1079 / $1,801.48 (-$356.52) BEST BETS: 55 - 105 / $177.42 (-$32.58) BEST BET: DESPERATE MAN (8th) SPOT PLAY: COVERED BRIDGE (6th) Race 1: $40,000 Claiming Pace (1) SOUTHWIND PETYR has closed sharply in his last two from well back, including an improbable win last month; now moving all the way inside Kelly has tactical options. Perhaps a pocket trip would be ideal. (4) MUSIC HALL is back with the Laterza barn after another reclaim and he's got two wins and a third recently for these connections; he can do it from on or off the pace. (3) CUT N RUN N failed at 20 cents on the dollar last out after jogging the start prior; obviously he's proven capable of bouncing back and he'll offer more value tonight. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace (8) JM'S FINALTREASURE gets some needed class relief after being in deep against high-priced claimers; he lands the worst post tonight but the Burke trainee faces a field littered with question marks and he has left from the outside in the past. Gingras drives tonight and will be a price. (1) KINGSVILLE was a sick scratch last out so he has missed some time but historically he's always a major player when drawn inside. (7) MELANION N was also in too tough last week in his local return and that combined with the poor post meant he never got involved. Gelding is drawn outside again but does face a softer field where he's a better fit. Race 3: 3-6YO Open Pace (1) ADMIRAL HILL returns from Kentucky after a nice run of three races, with two Open scores and a third-place effort in an Allerage split. Yannick is back in the bike from this favorable draw. (3) ENDOFSTORY missed a nose when last in with this type and his recent show of early speed makes him dangerous. (2) ALWAYS A THRILL has been close in every start over the last two-plus months though he's been shut out of the win column. Should be right there again. Race 4: $30,000 Claiming Pace (5) MAXIMUS RED A recently bumped up to this $30K claiming level off two sharp scores versus a bit lesser and he has been the most consistent against this type; veteran is capable of going on or off the pace. (6) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES steps up off a blowout win and a similar effort can take this, though he does move outside a few slots. (3) HEAVEN ON HIGH N was dull first out for a new barn, probably better than that. Race 5: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace (2) SMOOTH LOU showed some improvement when dropped from $40K claimers into this lower class and the Stratton trainee draws another good post. He sat the pocket last start and I'm not sure he's destined for the same trip but he's raced well uncovered in the past. (3) TWIN B DELUXE woke up with a much better effort last week and now drops in class; Bako trainee is overdue. (5) DEREK'S ROCKET arrives from The Meadows and joins the Alexander barn. He could be a good fit here. Race 6: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace (4) COVERED BRIDGE seems to be in a pretty live spot if he want to flaunt some back class. Maybe the change to Holland helps. (7) HIMSELF N is probably the one to beat on the dropdown, even from this outside post. He was a 1:51 winner not too long ago. (3) MYULTIMATEBAXTER N gets good post relief after being uninvolved in his last couple. Race 7: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace (3) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N was a solid second last out, though he was the odds-on favorite. He finds a similar spot tonight and hopefully won't have to work as hard. (1) JOEMIKIYOURSOFINE hasn't put in a bad effort over the last couple of months and he lands in a good stalking spot tonight. (4) VICIOUS was razor sharp going wire to wire in his last two and is certainly a legit threat to take another. Joe Bongiorno is back in the bike tonight. Race 8: Invitational Pace (2) DESPERATE MAN was a very well-rated winner at 1/9 odds in his return off the freshening. He may have to work a little harder tonight in order to repeat but he's by far the most accomplished in here and lands the best of the '2 thru 6' draw. (3) DIEGO N has looked like a new horse in his last three and he makes his way back to the top level. (5) SPRING INHIS STEP A has dull cover in his local debut for the Cullipher barn. He was showing speed in prior starts so maybe Buter tries to get aggressive here in the early stages. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 9: NW15651 in last 5 starts Pace (4) CURLY JAMES A takes the obligatory step up in class after winning his North American debut and the Engblom trainee probably has more to show us. He'll be favored to win again. (1) MYSWEETBOYMAX tried new tactics last start when Holland sent him to the lead and though it didn't work out in the end he can be close up again and perhaps in the pocket; Colin Kelly is back in the bike. (2) SANTANNA HANOVER was never close from the eight hole last week but the move back inside makes him a logical player. Race 10: 3-6 YO $30,000 Claiming Pace (3) ALWAYSCUTTINSCHOOL paced a solid back half to nail it at the wire last week and he's right back in at the winning level and from the same post. Can lightning strike twice? There is plenty of speed to the outside so things could set up for an off-the-pace type. (2) TOPVILLE SOMEBEACH was wicked last out for DiDomenico and now he goes back to Laterza on the reclaim and steps up from $20's to $30's. Similar effort makes him dangerous. (5) JUST ENUFF STUFF was a pocket rocket last week but that was departing from the rail, now he's got to leave from the middle of the pack.