2024 MEET STATS: 210 - 710 / $1,160.00 (-$260.00) BEST BETS: 30 - 61 / $110.60 (-$11.40) BEST BET: COACHES CORNER (9th) SPOT PLAY: ULTIMAROCA (3rd) Race 1: NW20501 in last 5 starts Pace (4) HIMSELF N may have been a touch outclassed in his last two at the NW30K level but he drops a notch and gets Bartlett back in the bike, who steered this import to a win last month. (1) VICI has quickly proved that he belongs with these mostly more seasoned foes and the Joe B. trainee looks for three straight. (5) FORTIFY has finished in sub-:28 in four of his last five, including last week's 27 second sprint for second money. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: 3-5YO Open Pace (4) DUNKIN' has imploded before the start twice this year but looking past that he never puts in a poor effort. Budget Ohio-bred should be a bit closer and his versatility allows him to steamroll home, or sit up close, or cut the mile. Just hold your breath as the gate rolls. (3) ITS A ME MARIO hasn't won in a few weeks but he's another who is always close and has banked a ton of money racing every week for boatloads of cash usually facing just five rivals. (1) TIP TOP CAT is a fresh face coming from Kentucky for Burke and I'll trust the connections who clearly think he'll fit. I'll stick with the proven entities for now, however. Race 3: NW30000 in last 5 starts Pace (5) ULTIMAROCA closed well for third last week and I'm thinking maybe he can leave the gate tonight; price should be fair, hopefully somewhere around his 9/2 ML. (2) NONE BETTOR A showed what good old-fashioned gate speed and rating can do as this 11YO veteran scored last out. Alexander trainee has Zeron driving again looking to repeat. (1) HEAVEN ON HIGH N has been improving every week up at Saratoga for Stalbaum and he returns locally looking for a third straight; picks up Mark Macdonald and the rail. Race 4: 3-6YO $50,000 Claiming Pace (4) VERDUN ships up from Harrington riding a two-race win streak and the 4YO joins the Alexander barn; gets the call in competitive field on the barn-change angle. (3) SHAKESPEARE gets a better post to work with and also picks up Bartlett; eligible to improve. (1) JUST ENUFF STUFF is back in $50's and back on the rail; good to go. Race 5: $40,000-$50,000 Claiming Pace (4) SHINE A LIGHT is just 1 for 13 on the season but he's always right there at the wire and can be close to the front or rally from nowhere, like last week. (1) SAN DOMINO A was an interesting claim last out for Shane Tritton. He's got loads of class and can push off from the rail. (5) THRASHER stepped back to this level off the Chris Height claim and raced okay for a share; he can be on the scene late. Race 6: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace (3) CASINO ACTION N steps up a notch off a couple of fourth-place efforts but the recent import seems to do his best running with Bartlett at the controls. (5) SAVE AMERICA has taken control early from inside and outside posts in his last few so making the front probably won't be a problem. Last start he tired to third. (7) BUGABOO LOU returns to the races off a sharp qualifier for Burke. Race 7: $30,000 Claiming Pace (4) PAT STANLEY N was held in high enough regard by the Cory Stratton barn that they took this veteran back for $30K and his last win was in this barn with Brennan driving. (1) NOWHERE CREEK A could not sustain a two-move effort last week when dropped back down in class but now he's got the rail and can be on the lead or in the pocket. (6) GINGER TREE PETE was claimed last week by Laterza and they had moderate success with him in the past. Race 8: Invitational Pace (5) HELLABALOU has a post edge on a few of his rivals and maybe #5 is his lucky number (think 2x Borgata champ). Joe B. figures to be setting sail early. (3) COVERED BRIDGE was nipped last start, finds himself inside again; logical. (7) DESPERATE MAN makes his first start since the 'Battle' at Northfield, where he made a great recovery to finish close. Off a month and outside post are concerns. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 9: 3-5YO Open Pace (2) COACHES CORNER more than held his own in his recent stakes tour and now he's back on his home turf with a good post to boot. Engblom trainee is the one to beat. (3) POUND FOR POUND has plenty of speed which could set him up well here at a price. (5) BIRTHDAY hasn't won here yet for Burke but it's coming soon. Race 10: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace (2) TWIN B RISENSHINE blasted and lasted in his local return; Estrada trainee will be on or close to the front in a race that may be dominated by the inside speed and he will offer the best price of the main contenders. (3) FREQUENT IMAGE also blasted to the front from the eight hole and was nailed by #1. Big player again second-time Alexander. (1) HUNTING ZONE just got up from the pocket; similar trip? Race 11: 3-5YO $30,000 Claiming Pace (6) LOOTABLE is another recent addition to the Alexander barn and he put in a decent effort in his Yonkers return. 4YO should offer a price in this camera-shy finale field. (3) THAT DOG WILL HUNT looks to do better in his second start for the Stratton barn; improved post certainly helps. (1) SOUTH POINT ships in for Burke, looks like a good fit, but likely no value. [DRF HARNESS: Follow me on X! @drfharnessmatt]