2025 MEET STATS: 369 - 1203 / $2,011.98 (-$394.02) BEST BETS: 61 - 117 / $199.74 (-$34.26) BEST BET: HEMSWORTH N (8th) SPOT PLAY: SWEETHOMEALABAMA N (9th) Race 1: NW8001 in last 5 starts Pace (1) THIS IS THE PLAN is wrapping up his 10YO season clearly not the same horse he once was but I'll trust he's fine if he's still racing, and I like seeing these warriors still out there if they are sound. He's reunited with Gingras and he's got options from the pole position. (5) TEN TOTHE DOZEN A ships in for good connections and should fit well here. (4) TWIN B DELUXE finished second in his last two starts from similar scenarios and the Bako trainee has had a solid season with over $140K earned. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: 3-6YO Open Pace (3) BOURBON COUNTY was a solid second last week to #4 in here and with the post edge he's got tonight on that one look for him to turn the tables. (4) ADMIRAL HILL was able to rate once claiming command and held easily; should have to work harder tonight in order to repeat. (2) VERDUN is in line for another great payday and is more than capable of coming out on top with the right setup. Race 3: $40,000 Claiming Pace (3) SPEAKER OF PEACE rallied well from off the pace to make it close last week, his first start back with the Laterza barn. This outfit has done a solid job for the last year-plus playing the claiming game, and this gelding is certainly in a live spot tonight. (1) ALL ALONE drops back to $40K claimers and finished a close second and a close third in his last two tries at this level. (4) BET ON BIG JOE arrives from Kentucky and the recent addition to the Burke barn is tagged for the first time. I'll trust that this outfit has him classified perfectly. Race 4: $40,000 Claiming Pace (1) MUSIC HALL is another Laterza trainee who stays at the winning level. This gelding wired the field last week at a nice price and is primed to repeat, as the likely favorite this time. (3) CUT N RUN N enters a new barn via claim, keeps Bartlett, draws well enough. (2) ITALIAN LAD N had won two straight in $30's so the connections bumped him to $40's and he drew the eight hole...enough said. Gives it another try at this level but now with major post relief. Race 5: $30,000 Claiming Pace (8) SOUTHWIND PETYR burned money as the odds-on chalk last week but had been racing well against $40's prior to that and now drops back in for $30K, the amount he was claimed for by these connections back in September. Faces a tall order from the eight hole but he is capable and will be a healthy price. (1) WARRIOR FOR TRUTH is back inside and missed a nose two back from the rail. He does go from age-restricted claimers to this open class, but I'm not sure there's much of a difference. Gingras gets the drive tonight. (4) ROCKMYSTER N is back in claimers and gets Bartlett in the bike, which obviously is a big angle. Race 6: 3-6YO $30,000 Claiming Pace (2) THEMASKEDCRUSADR N has two wins and two thirds the last four times Bartlett drove this Engblom trainee. His latest start was his first at this level and it appears he's a good fit with these. (5) HAMMERING HANK is back locally now in the Burke barn and though he's 0 for 18 here this year he was second five times. Like previously mentioned I'll trust where these connections spot their stock, and Gingras gets the call. (1) ALWAYSCUTTINSCHOOL has been a fixture at this level over the last six months and he's a solid earner; threat from the rail. Race 7: NW30101 in last 5 starts Pace Bartlett passes up an opportunity to repeat with an Engblom trainee (#4) to take the drive on import (5) CHRISTOPHER DANCE N, who was on fire prior to last week's fourth-place effort at The Meadowlands. That was likely a needed start as he was off some time prior and now he makes his local debut, and he'll look to start a new streak tonight, despite possibly giving up a bit of a tactical edge to other contenders. (2) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N finished second over his last two starts, both coming from off the pace. Does regular driver Holland get more aggressive tonight? (4) COPPERFIELD wired the field from the seven hole last start when he was able to rate the pace. Gingras drives now and he likely has to work harder in order to repeat. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 8: NW15641 in last 5 starts Pace (1) HEMSWORTH N has loads of back class and it showed with that win six days ago. Veteran was eligible at time of entry so he gets a free ride here looking to double up. (7) SANTANA HANOVER was a winner last time Bartlett drove, but that was against softer. Needs an alert getaway. (4) SOHO SANTORINI N wasn't far off in third last week and that was after missing a bit of time with a sick scratch. He's not a prolific winner but has hit the board in five of his last six. Race 9: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace (3) SWEETHOMEALABAMA N drops in class for the third consecutive start and he did race well against better last out. Stratton trainee does land his best post in a couple of months and was a winner from a similar spot back in September. (2) INFLATION PROOF sure seems fast enough to be a danger here but the 3YO does lack the experience of others; 3 for 7 here this year. (1) MYSWEETBOYMAX, like the top choice, has been facing better recently and hasn't been far off. He should make his presence felt departing from the rail.