2026 MEET STATS: 133 - 402 / $769.21 (-$34.79) BEST BETS: 24 - 41 / $78.80 (-$3.20) BEST BET: CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR (8th) SPOT PLAY: VICIOUS (3rd) Race 1: $40,000 Claiming Pace (1) LYRICAL GENIUS A was reclaimed out of last week's start for $40K by the Adamczyk barn, which paid a premium as they lost him for $30K back in April. Classy vet stays at a winning level going for three straight and can offer a little value with Bartlett opting off. (5) ALTA CLASSIC A stepped up to this level two races ago and hit the board both times; he can go on or off the pace, and coming from behind tonight is the likely scenario. (3) MANFERNO totally turned things around since returning to Yonkers a few months ago and his current connections dipped in for $40K to claim him; Bartlett's choice. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: $50,000 Claiming Pace (2) BET ON BIG JOE finally broke into the win column last week, his third start since being claimed by the Bako barn. Legit chance to repeat with the good draw. (5) BRUTALLYHANDSOME A gets Bartlett in the bike and they teamed up for a win back in April, his first start after being claimed by these connections. (4) THEFLYINGROCK triple-jumped in class two back and gutted out a win, then followed that up by finishing third to similar last out. Gelding figures to hit the board again tonight. Race 3: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace (5) VICIOUS has a win and a third in his last two tries at this level and catch-driving Bongiorno is familiar with this guy as he used to train him; he has a reasonable midpack post and is as good as any in here. (7) COPPERFIELD fails from the top trainer/driver and has the early speed to get into play from the outside post. (4) ITS A ME MARIO was scratched sick last week but is right back in the box so I assume that's a good sign. He's got the talent but is also very lightly raced over the last couple of seasons; probably needs another start or two before considering for the top spot but he can pick up a smaller piece. Race 4: Invitational Pace (1) CAPTAINHAMMERHEAD A was a solid winner in his North American debut and he may only get stronger as time goes on. Import will have to go faster tonight in order to repeat but I'll take that chance if he projects to be a decent price. (5) REDWOOD HANOVER battled through all six-plus weeks of the Borgata then took a well-deserved rest before coming back last week with a good freshener at Philly. Engblom trainee should be a major player. (3) SOHO FIRESTONE A also grinded it out in the Borgata then was second best last start to Lou Hill, who paced in 1:50. He's got a shot to hit the board. Race 5: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace (2) COALFORD TOPGUY GB was finally forced to move up in class last start and he was a no-threat fifth against the likes of Verdun. These should be a bit easier and he's got a shot from this good post to prove himself at this level. (6) JUMPINGJACKMAC N was third in the Invite three starts ago but failed to hit the board in his last two. I can envision Bartlett taking a more aggressive approach here. (3) KEYANG KAMIKAZE A hasn't raced in over a month but did recently freshen up in a qualifier and the recent Pete Tritton import gets to drop a level. Race 6: NW10000 in last 5 starts Pace (2) GINGRAS BEACH had no shot against better last out but paced home in under 27 seconds and now he drops a level, moves inside and adds Bartlett. (1) IMA PERFECT CHOICE drops for the fourth consecutive start and he held well last week for third. Alexander trainee looks like the deserving favorite here. (4) AMERICAN DEALER N is back in on consecutive weeks after that recent sick scratch and the classy vet recently went over the million dollar mark in career earnings. Race 7: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace (1) IKNOWBETTER had no chance last week from trailing position but it's a whole new ballgame tonight with the move to the rail. Bongiorno trainee went wire-to-wire from this post two back. (2) VERDUN finally got into the win column two back when in an easy spot and he followed that up with a rallying second chasing a fast pace. Lachance trainee always gives an honest effort. (5) STERLING CHOICE has done most of his best running recently with Bartlett in the bike, no real surprise. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 8: NW7956 in last 5 starts Pace (1) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR's lone win this year in 16 tries came from the rail when he prevailed off a pressured pace against two classes better. Lachance should be good to go versus these. Both (3) EVER HOPING A and (4) AMERITITC are the other two logicals in here. Race 9: $30,000 Claiming Pace (4) ALWAYSCUTTINSCHOOL is back from Ohio and rejoins the Devita barn, who had him for a long stretch last year with good results. Back in for a $30K tag he should fit well here. (1) PEACE OUT POSSE debuts for Adamczyk via claim and he goes for two straight after dropping and popping last out; won't be much of a price. (8) TELITONTHEMOUNTAIN steps up a notch after winning last start but he moves from the rail all the way to the eight hole and hasn't shown a ton of early speed from outside posts.