2023 MEET STATS: 314 - 903 / $1,564.60 (-$241.40) BEST BETS: 49 - 84 / $158.60 (-$9.40) BEST BET: CENTURY INSPECTOR (6th) SPOT PLAY: STRENGTHANDHONOR N (8th) Race 1: F&M $50,000 Claiming Pace (3) PURAMERI has put in an honest effort in all of her starts at this level and she's always overlooked in the wagering; Joe B gets the catch drive tonight from a reasonable post and she's capable with a good trip. (7) CHUPPAH ON came back to life last week and has the early speed to overcome the outside draw. (1) ACEFORTYFOUR ALEX never wins but makes money week after week; she always has to be included when drawn inside. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: 2-4YO NW1 race or $14,141 lifetime Pace (3) TOUGH LAZ goes from NJSS afterthought from tough spots to this soft NW1 event and note in her first real race he paced in 1:56 2/5 at Goshen; Bako-trained 2YO gets the call. (2) SWEET IDEAL broke his maiden last out at Philly and looks to build off that effort. (6) I B LOVIN is another 2YO in here and he raced pretty well in an Excelsior event here last week. Probably coming from last looking to pick off a few as he learns the ropes. Race 3: F&M $25,000 Claiming Pace (4) FLIP THE SCRIPT has been showing speed though not much staying power, but last week from the eight hole she gave it a big try on the front end. Mare can make the front here without too much effort then yield to #6 and sit the trip. (6) FEELIN RED HOT sees her value cut in half as she drops into a $25K claimer despite being competitive with $50's. 10YO will head to the lead. (3) ALWAYS B MIMI moves to the Engblom barn via claim and lands an improved post. That yearly record of 25-0-1-9 is a bit concerning though. Race 4: 3-5YO NW2 races or $25,000 lifetime Pace (3) LOUIE HANOVER arrives from the PA fair circuit off a smashing qualifier at Monticello for new trainer Bako. Captaintreacherous offspring does have a 1:55 1/5 mark over the half at Northfield. (4) SILK ROAD has been good in defeat his last two; Burke trainee is obviously logical. (6) CLEVELAND B MIKI broke his maiden in his 15th try last week with a strong finish and Lachance can be coming late again tonight. Race 5: F&M $20,000 Claiming Pace When (5) DIAMONDTOOTHGERTIE gets good she can stay live for an extended period of time. She has missed a couple of weeks but I'll still give her the call on the class hike facing no standouts here. (1) WILDCAT ANTONIA hasn't been productive for the Burke barn but she moves all the way inside and drops a notch. I like Joe B getting the drive. (3) NORMAN'S MADELINE was Holland's choice over a couple of others, including my top choice. She is capable of much better than she's been showing. Race 6: 3-5YO NW4 races or $50,000 lifetime Pace (2) CENTURY INSPECTOR gets away from some tougher rivals tonight and has a post edge on much of his competition; Nifty Norman trainee should play bully and take these down the road. (3) ROCK THE BELLES is an interesting shipper with a barn change to Jenn B who deservedly will attract attention. (4) SHUFFLE UP HANOVER steps up to face better looking for five straight overall. Race 7: F&M $50,000 Claiming Pace (1) MIKI ROSE came up a little short last week after coming uncovered but she should get back to business tonight from this spot. Should be fine with Kakaley getting the drive on the Engblom trainee with Bartlett not on the card. (5) CALLMEQUEENBEE A was nipped at the wire by #7 in here, coming out of the same race as Miki. Bongiorno trainee looms large again. (2) SHECOULDBEGOOD N should be sitting close to the action and have enough to land a share. Race 8: 3-5YO NW7 races or $75,000 lifetime Pace (4) STRENGTHANDHONOR N was a solid second in his last three tries here at the NW4 level; he does technically bump up in class to NW7 but faces no standouts, and is in a spot where Holland can be aggressive. (1) THAT DOG WILL HUNT has been a live performer throughout the Excelsior series and should go well facing these foes, especially leaving from the rail. (5) FROZEN HANOVER was nowhere to the head of the lane last out but rallied for second; insist on a better price tonight if you like him. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 9: NW22071 in last 5 starts Pace (1) HEMSWORTH N won a leg of the Borgata and the consolation, but not much since. This seems like the best spot he's seen in a while and Kakaley should take advantage. (4) SPLASH BROTHER dropped and popped last week and he does find a reasonable spot on the bumps back up in class; would be beneficial to his chances if he could utilize that early speed to clear the field into the first turn. (3) SPORTY M THREE could never get close upon arrival from Philly but the Burke trainee did finish willingly. He's got a legit chance here. Race 10: NW10661 in last 5 starts Pace (2) BURNHAM BOY N hasn't won in a while but overall the Chris Ryder trainee has had a good season with over $80K banked in 19 starts since arriving in the U.S. He seems to find a live spot in his local return. (1) NIGHT HAWK is still trying to regain his 3YO form as he makes his second start in the Burke barn. Likely an aggressive try coming. (7) SPORT SECRET broke before the start as the favorite upon arrival last week; price goes way up tonight if you want to give him another chance.