Aqueduct Hotlist - December 3

Today’s New York Hot List races to watch – Friday, December 3, 2021 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, 1 1/8 TURF mi] – (5) Mozay ran a solid third in her debut at Belmont Park last month and comes back for an improvement in his second start for Bill Mott. His New York barn showed signs of getting back in stride after a recent winless streak was broken. (7) Blue Times came back from a four-month break to run second twice after setting the pace both times, most recently at ten furlongs. (2) Pruning will make her fifth start for Shug McGaughey with a chance to be part of the exotics. (1) Investment Income had troubled trips in her two starts this summer for Chad Brown. Irad stays on board and hopefully finds a clear run this time.

2^nd race [Md Sp Wt, 1 mi] – (1) Ambassador Kelly made her first start for Todd Pletcher on a sloppy track at odds of 3.75-1 and ran third with a closing move. (6) A Mo Reay had the lead and missed by a head at odds of .25-1 which came after running third in the Frizette (G1) also for Pletcher. This is a filly for My Racehorse and Spendthrift. (7) Glamorous Days was a $400,000 purchase this Spring who will make her first start for Shug McGaughey. (5) Khuluq was third in her first start for Chad Brown in that last race with A Mo Reay.

4^th race [Md Sp Wt, 7F] – (4) Violent Vixen had a trio of top three finishes for Charlie Baker against strong fields. (3) Heels Together returns from an April layoff for Christophe Clement after a third and a second while well bet in both. (6) Aunt Naughty was part of the pace in her debut in October at Belmont behind Malathaat and now comes back with Lasix for the first time. (1) Default Protection was a $450,000 yearling purchase that will make her debut for Chad Brown.

7^th race [NY, OC 45k/N2X, 6F] – (7) Gold Panda broke his maiden and won a first level allowance at Saratoga. He came back from a short break to set the pace and finish second in his first try at today’s level at Belmont for Charlie Baker. (5) Winners Laugh comes back from a May layoff after a third in a mile NY-bred stake. He was a debut winner at Aqueduct in March for Horatio DePaz. (6) Big Bobby ran first or second in all five career starts for Bill Mott. In October, he won the first-level allowance at Belmont. (2) Bronx Bomber notched all four of his victories at Aqueduct over a 31-race career.

Best bets:  Ambassador Kelly (2^nd); Gold Panda (7^th). Best value:  Mozay (1^st); Violent Vixen (4^th).