2025 MEET STATS: 308 - 1027 / $1,701.88 (-$352.12) BEST BETS: 54 - 101 / $174.44 (-$27.56) BEST BET: HELLABALOU (9th) SPOT PLAY: VICI (11th) Race 1: F&M $20,000 Claiming Pace (2) YUENGLING had a series of good efforts at the $25K claiming level then dropped back to this class last week and was going nowhere from the eight hole. Tonight she moves inside and was a winner at this level the last two times she started from a good post. (1) FIGHT NOT FLIGHT goes for new connections again and the "rent a horse" has good speed from the rail. Now in the Dilloian Jr. barn she's a major player, as is (4) DISARONNO HILL, who also has bounced around to different homes lately but has been solid for all connections. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: F&M $25,000 Claiming Pace (7) GINGER TREE LIZ got claimed out of her last race and she joins the Dilloian Jr. barn after a long run with Temming. Tough spot but she may be totally overlooked here and has the potential to improve for her new connections. (4) STORMY SERENA looks like the main speed and that makes her an obvious contender. (1) ATREACHEROUS A upset from off the pace last out, can do it again with a live trip. Race 3: NW20000 in last 5 starts Pace (2) DIEGO N was bet like a winner in his last two and dominated. He steps up again and has a new driver with Buter subbing for the absent Bartlett but he still looks the best here. (4) FEARFUL INTENT returns locally after a series of good efforts out of town for the Cullipher barn and he's two for three at Yonkers this season. (3) HAZEVILLE can save ground while close up and pick up the pieces. Race 4: F&M $50,000 Claiming Pace (4) VIBRANCE is entered for a tag by the Burke barn and she was a winner just four days ago against conditioned types; that's two straight solid efforts. I'll trust she's classified appropriately as these connections do a masterful job racing where they can win. (1) CHIAPANECAS also goes back in for a tag after faltering on the front last out; Brennan picks up the drive and has controlling speed from the rail. (2) AMBUSHED gets her first good post in over a month and a half. Race 5: NW8051 in last 5 starts Pace (2) OUTLAW MAN N has been much improved since dropping to these lower conditioned levels and he's in a great spot here to get back to the win column. (3) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK got the job done as the heavy chalk last week and he's the other main player in what looks like a chalky affair. Classy vet is inching towards the million mark. (1) SMOOTH LOU drops from $40K claimed where he's been just a fringe player recently. It's logical that from this spot he chases the top two and he can land a piece. Race 6: 2-5YO Winners of 2-4 races or $60K LT Pace (4) WAR NO MORE put in a solid effort in defeat last start and now he moves to a new barn in search of that first seasonal win. The recent effort proves he can go with these and he may just be a smooth trip away from getting it done. (7) KWICK SAND A has raced well in all four starts since arriving from Australia and the Stratton trainee has finished in under 28 seconds each time. I'm hoping he can get off the gate in good order and maybe settle midpack. (1) THE WICKED ONE is two for two since arriving from Canada for the Devita barn. He does face tougher here and probably needs a life mark to get it done. Race 7: NW15000 in last 5 starts Pace (6) OPTICAL ILLUSION N isn't the most prolific winner at 3 for 32 on the season but he just missed last week and raced well in all recent. He has left the gate in the past and I'm hoping Holland will be moving forward early. (3) STELLAR YANKEE was a bit overmatched in his last couple but has been close in recent starts at this level. Post can keep him close at a price. (7) RENALDO N has been a killer since arriving from Down Under for the Shane Tritton barn and four of those five wins have come with Lauren Tritton in the bike. I don't see him being a heavy favorite from this spot but still likely doesn't offer much value. Race 8: 3-6YO Open Pace The way the posts shook out in this open draw it's hard not to focus on the inside contenders. (2) CATALPA RESCUE A has done nothing wrong since arriving for the Blackler barn and last week he was home in :27 flat after going the pocket route. With Bartlett not here we get a new driver in Kelly and that figures to boost the price. (1) SOHO FIRESTONE A can sniff the wire as he won by a nose last week, a head two back and lost by a neck three back. He showed a new dimension by coming from off the pace in his latest win. (3) MIKI SHAN N returns from the Maritimes and he just paced a wicked 1:49 4/5 at Charlottetown. He also was the Cup & Saucer winner. Race 9: NW21206 in last 5 starts Pace (4) HELLABALOU appears to have a slight class edge on these and should find a way to get it done. (2) IMA PERFECT CHOICE never entered contention last out from the seven hole but he won his prior two from good posts. (1) BENHOPE RULZ N doesn't win much but the oldtimer frequently comes away with money. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 10: 2-5YO NW2 races or $30,000 LT Pace (5) CARRONSIDELEGCY GB finished second in his two U.S. tries albeit no match for the winner each time but a similar effort seems enough to beat these. (2) LASER SPEED finished close up three back from a similar spot and he has consistent good last quarters. (4) DISMAS did beat a NW2 field recently down in Kentucky when first-time in the Engblom barn then was caught up in a couple of quick miles. 3YO can be considered on the ship in. Race 11: NW5000 in last 5 starts Pace (5) VICI has raced much better in his last two since Colin Kelly took over the driving and he may offer some value as the likely third or fourth choice. (2) FUNATTHEBEACH N had to travel to Monticello to finally pick up a win, but it was a solid effort. Impossible to ignore his back class. (7) PLEASELETMEKNOW earned over $236K last year and is near the million mark lifetime but he hasn't even hit the board this season through five races. Will he ever recapture that prior glory? Drop to the basement helps, poor post hurts.