2026 MEET STATS: 82 - 230 / $451.69 (-$8.31) BEST BETS: 15 - 23 / $47.78 (+$1.78) BEST BET: HANDSOME STRANGER (1st) SPOT PLAY: WAVEMAKER (4th) Race 1: 3-5YO Winners 2 not more than 4 races or $60,000 LT Pace (6) HANDSOME STRANGER makes his 4YO debut for top connections off a sophomore season that saw him earn over $180K and not only does he look ready for action off those two qualifiers he meets a field where it's hard to fall in love with anyone else; take the short price. (3) CHARLIES WISH finished third in his last two and both were decent efforts; could be ready to step forward into the place spot. (1) CHOICE IS MINE was 50/1 and no match in the Weiss at Pocono in his 3YO debut; recent Canadian shipper tries Yonkers and lands the rail. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: F&M $25,000 Claiming Pace Looks like a case can be made for almost all of these - even #6 who figures to be a big price is stepping up off a win. (3) FIGHT NOT FLIGHT returns to the Laterza barn via reclaim and is likely to have a clear path to the front; mare hasn't raced in three weeks but gaps in her timeline haven't been a problem in the past. (1) DW'S DARLENE raced well to be second best last week and Bongiorno catch drives again. (4) IDEALINFUN dropped back down to this level last start and was a good second in a quick mile. Race 3: NW10601 in last 5 starts Pace (3) COALFORD TOPGUY GB added Lasix for last week's start and was a game second after being picked off late; Engblom trainee has been a runner-up an amazing six times in nine starts this year but I think he's ready to step back up into the win column. (2) IKNOWBETTER gets significant class and post relief for the Bongiorno barn and looks like the main threat. (6) THE BIGBOSS A was third best last out after a smooth trip so he'll have to work harder to hit the board tonight but will offer strong value underneath. Race 4: 3-5YO Winners 5 not more than 7 races or $90,000 LT Pace (2) WAVEMAKER draws his first good post in over a month and was a winner in this class from a similar spot back in February. Regular driver Stratton bails off his brother's horse to drive #7 so he gets Kelly to catch drive and in a field where most of these aren't proven at this level his likely double-digit price intrigues me. (3) BOXER SEELSTER has hit the board in four of five and has a post and seasoning edge on the rest of them. (7) FORWARD FLASH dominated one class lower last start with Stratton but he was starting from the rail that night and now has to navigate the far outside; not an easy task. Race 5: NW20501 in last 5 starts Pace (4) ENDOFSTORY apparently wasn't ready for stakes action yet so after two Borgata tries he drops to meet softer, and also returns to Bartlett. He gets the endorsement here but I'm not in love with him. (1) SPEAKER OF PEACE has been very good lately and is a major player starting from the rail. (3) LITTLE WILLY has been super in three starts since the Bako claim but obviously the recent injured scratch and missed time is a major concern. He may not be ready to fire his best shot but if he's driven more conservatively he could get a small piece. Race 6: NW7500 in last 5 starts Pace (4) YOROKOBI N is by no means a prolific winner but he ended up scoring easily when dropped in class last start; maybe he can build off that and string a couple together. (5) SOHO DOWN JONES A drops again after a failed front-end effort and he just hasn't been that sharp recently. On paper he's probably the one to beat again. (7) SWEETHOMEALABAMA N drops in class for the fourth consecutive start and has been much better recently. He would be the top pick if not for the post. Race 7: NW6301 in last 5 starts Pace (3) PEACE OUT POSSE is 0 for 10 on the season but with the exception of #8 he seems to outclass the rest of them and this is a good spot for the 11YO vet to get off the schneid. (8) VENTURESOME ARDEN N is nowhere close to what he used to be and despite failing from the eight hole last week he's a must-use in here. (1) KIMBLE A finally draws an inside post. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 8: F&M $20,000 Claiming Pace (4) GIOVONA BY THE SEA gets an interesting barn change to Dilloian Jr. and qualified effectively with Bartlett driving; could be ready at first asking. (8) MC ANGEL stopped badly last week but she drops back to the level where she's most effective and she's got early speed. (1) TOBAGO TIME is back in for a tag and with the best draw; classy vet is still looking for that first 2025 win Race 9: NW16791 in last 5 starts Pace (3) FRISCO BAY N was a sharp winner from off the pace in Yonkers and Bongiorno debut and going for the repeat tonight I expect him to be much closer to the front. (2) SIX DEGREES is winless through 10 starts this year but he's been second five times; Adamczyk trainee has been right there in his last three however and is one to fear. (4) TOBINS CHESTER double-jumps in class and is outside his main competition but does have the leading driver in the bike again.