Aqueduct Hotlist - April 2

Today’s NY Hot List races to watch – Saturday, April 2, 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 worst
* - 4 or more betting notches if 11-1 or more.

4^th race [NY, Md Sp Wt, 6F] – (4) True Empress (C) had the lead but got passed by a first-time starter to finish second after getting bet down from 3-1 to 9-5. (6) Liberty Flame was second in her debut at Belmont Park in October last year as a 2-year-old and now she returns with Lasix for her second start. (3) Steppin’ Hawk has been close to getting that first win in three tries this year for a low-profile trainer. (2) Mo Nighean Donn is a daughter of Laoban that makes her first career start for David Donk.

5^th race [Clm 16000 N2L, 6F] – (6) Sabreen set the pace and then finished second at this same level after breaking her maiden in her prior start for Steve Asmussen. (1) Stormi Cat Lady was a late-running second for trainer Gustavo Rodriguez. (7) Bella Domenica has been off since August and now drops to an appropriate level to contend for her second victory. (3) Appreciate has a trio of third-place finishes at this N2L level, all at Aqueduct.

6^th race [OC 62k/N2X, 1 mi] – (4) Sound Money (A) got off to a slow start, had to rush up to the lead, and then got caught late to finish third. (3) Captain Bombastic (D) was bet down from 7-1 to 5-1, pressed a very fast pace which was costly and he faded to fourth just a length behind the winner. (6) Lil Commissioner has been racing against better horses and now comes back from a couple of months off and runs for a tag. (2) Little Menace was claimed from three recent starts including his last race which he won for a $40,000 tag.

9^th race [NY, Md 40000, 6F] – (2) Vincent (B) had the lead in his debut and finished second. In his next start he was unruly before the race when dumped his rider and then broke through the gate losing any chance on that day. He does get a rider change after getting claimed from that bad day. (7) Ria’s Angel drops back down to this level at which he was second in his debut race back in January at Aqueduct. (1) On the Hill was second when he dropped from a maiden special weight to the $25,000 level and now moves to a spot in between. (3) Tonalistic debuted back in May at Delaware Park against open company.

Best bets: True Empress (4^th); Sabreen (5^th). Best value: Sound Money (6^th); Vincent (9^th).

Saturday Pick 3 Special --
The Saturday Special $1 Pick 3 covers races 4 – 6 à 4, 6 with 1, 6 with 2, 3, 4, 6 = $16.