With the $730,000 Maple Leaf Trot set for this evening at Mohawk Racetrack, WEG's media department got the inside scoop from some of North America's top handicappers, as they provided their Maple Leaf Trot picks along with some insight for tonight's featured race

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Dave Briggs - The Canadian Sportsman: San Pail
Arch Madness is a more obvious pick, but even out of the nine-hole San Pail has the MLT karma to get it done a third straight time.

T.J. Burkett - Hoof Beats Executive Editor: Il Villaggio
I'll take Il Villaggio. He scorched the earth last week, winning in a lifetime-best 1:51.4, widening all the way. He'll benefit from a speed duel between Define The World and Arch Madness and Jody Jamieson will swoop in from third to pick up the big prize.

John Curtin - Harness Link: Arch Madness
Arch Madness should win - too much experience, too much power!

Bill Finley - Harness Racing Update: Arch Madness
Yes, San pail is the trotting king of Canada, but right now Arch Madness is in a league of his own.

Derick Giwner - Harness Eye: Arch Madness
Arch Madness has been super all year. Yeah, he could get beat, but with the other logical contenders drawn outside, I have to ride the wave.

Mike Hamilton - Mohawk: Arch Madness
With six millionaires in the field -- including two past winners -- the outcome will likely be decided by "trip". I don't see how either of the outside two will work out the best trip when a logical horse like Arch Madness has Post 5. Consider the 5-1 combo if you want a little more bang for your buck.

Bob ‘Hollywood’ Heyden - The Meadowlands: Arch Madness
Arch Madness is in a world of his own. Finally, the potential we all knew was there has surfaced-fully. Any Horse of the Year aspirations he holds starts with a win here. Nothing else will do.

Roger Huston - The Meadows: Arch Madness
It's his race to lose. I don't think anybody can beat him.

Ken Middleton - Mohawk: San Pail
Despite getting picked off in the final strides in last week's prep, I'm going right back to San Pail in his quest for a three-peat in the MLT. The outside post shouldn't boost his price.

Kathy Parker - Horseman & Fair World: Arch Madness
Arch Madness has shown in the last three starts that he is in top form, and with him starting inside of his biggest challengers, San Pail and Lucky Jim, he looks like a winner.

Jeff Porchak - Standardbred Canada: Arch Madness
Form. Driver. Post position. Can't find a reason to go against him, but it won't be a cakewalk by any means.

Heather MacKay Roberts - The Harness Edge: San Pail
Given that I live in Port Perry, where San Pail was foaled and his breeder and co-owner continues to live, I always cheer for him although he really hasn't needed my help! I hope the third time is the charm in the Maple Leaf Trot for the talented horse and his connections, Rod Hughes, Glenn Van Camp and Randy Waples.

Frank Salive - Pompano Park: Arch Madness
I can't see how they can beat Arch Madness. Brian Sears has been raving about how good he is right now. What an incredible day and age we live in when a 1:52 trotter might not be good enough to win this race!

Ken Warkentin - The Meadowlands: Arch Madness
Trond Smedshammer told Bob ‘Hollywood’ Heyden in the winner's circle of the Titan Cup that Arch Madness has finally lived up to expectations and the horse is realizing his full potential. The way he reeled of his 1:50.2 world record was devastating. He did it easily and obviously could've gone more.

The Maple Leaf Trot has been carded as the seventh race (9:21 p.m.) on Mohawk's Saturday program.

Click here for a free Saturday program, courtesy of TrackIT.

To view entries for Saturday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Saturday Entries - Mohawk Racetrack.

(WEG)