Aqueduct Hotlist - April 14

Today’s New York Hot List races to watch – Thursday, April 14, 2022 at Aqueduct
                By Matt Shifman and Bob Ehalt

Hot List Key:
 A: A preferred horse to watch                         B: Secondary horse to watch
*C: Went down 2 or more betting notches and finished 1st through 3rd
*D: Went down 2 or more betting notches and finished 4^th or worse
* - 4 or more betting notches if 11-1 or more.

1^st race [Md Sp Wt, 6F] – (3) Spiked ran second in her debut at Tampa Bay Downs last month for John Terranova, who is a good trainer of young horses, with the best speed figure for the horses that have run in this field. (5) Hoodooland will make her first start for Shug McGaughey. The $1.4 million yearling is out of a stakes-placed mare who produced four winners including a Grade 1 winner of more than $647,000. (4) World Traveler is another firster. This one is a son of Liam’s Map out of a mare that has produced 3 winners from 3 foals including a stakes-placed 2-year-old.  (1) Speaks for Itself will debut for Chad Brown as a 4-year-old.

3^rd race [OC50k/SAL50k, 7F] – (6) Never Early romped in his maiden claiming win last month which came after a nine-month layoff. He was claimed from the victory by red hot trainer Jeffrey Englehart who has been improving his new horses. (2) Amedeus Music was also a maiden claiming winner last time out following a long layoff. His closing style should get an ideal set-up in this race that has a few pace pressers. (1) Bossmakingbossmoves moved from NY-bred racing to run third at this level last time out. (5) Silipo was claimed out of a sloppy track effort for $50,000 last start by Linda Rice.

4^th race [Md 40000, 1 1/16 mi TURF] – (8) Investment Income will drop in the maiden claiming ranks for the first time and return to the turf for Chad Brown after making her 2022 debut in a race that came off turf. (6) Openthegate was claimed three starts back at Gulfstream Park. Her late running style was not advantageous on the turf course in Florida that favored speed all meeting long. (5) Belleshazza was claimed for $50,000 back in November and now returns to the turf after two dirt starts at Aqueduct. (2) Masabeeh was claimed away from Chad Brown in her debut in October by Linda Rice. She had one dirt start at the Big A back in January.

5^th race [NY, Alw 72000 N1X, 6F TURF] – (8) Sassy Melissa ran second in her 2022 debut in a starter allowance at Gulfstream in a race that came off the turf. She will get to race against NY-breds again. (9) Uncle’s Gem had the winter off and returns to get on the grass where she had a couple of seconds at this level. (10) Palace Gossip was last seen in November winning her maiden special weight at Aqueduct for Tony Dutrow. (5) Fontanafredda also won her maiden in November with her best speed figure after three starts and took the winter off to wait for the turf to reopen in New York.

Best bets:  Never Early (3^rd); Investment Income (4^th). Best value:  Spiked (1^st); Sassy Melissa (5^th).