Aqueduct Hotlist - December 31

Today’s New York Hot List races to watch – Thursday, December 31, 2020 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.

2^nd race – (7) Ifihadachance (C) got the highest speed figure of her career in her second start since moving to the barn of the trainer David Donk. She finished third in that first-level allowance for NY-breds and returns in a similar spot after taking unusual and late betting action where her odds dropped from 50-1 to 24-1. (2) Courageous Girl (D) was in that same race and also took late action from 12-1 to 6-1 and finished fifth. (5) Wasp is the most lightly raced horse in this six-furlong sprint. She won a maiden special weight by 10 and then came back to finish second in the same race as the aforementioned pair. She was odds-on in both of those races which were run on sloppy tracks for trainer Todd Pletcher. (1) Ok Honey runs frequently and often ends up in the trifecta at good odds and gets some class relief in this spot.

3^rd race – (8) Dancing Buck (B) was well bet and had the lead at the stretch call in her debut in a turf sprint for Michelle Nevin who does not usually win with firsters. Obviously, she will switch to the dirt in another state-bred maiden special weight. (7) Bingo John debuts for Brad Cox with steady works. This filly may have been a private purchase back in November where she was training at Hawthorne and then appeared at Keeneland to continue her training. She is the 12^th foal from a mare who once sold for $1 million as a broodmare and has produced seven winners including stakes quality runners. (2) Lobsta will debut for Gary Sciacca and comes from the family of recent NY-bred stakes winner Chowda. (5) Heymackit’sjack flashed speed in her debut on the grass for John Kimmel and Dylan Davis gets on board.

7^th race – (1) Jump for Joy (C) is in fine form right now with seven straight top three finishes and entrymate (1A) Glass Ceiling (C), who is also running well, has a pair of seconds. They make a formidable entry. (4) Letmetakethiscall won two of her last three starts in NY-bred second-level allowances and now moves into a first level race against open company. She is the winner of 10 races including five at Aqueduct. (6) Palomita was second or third in her last five starts for Chad Brown. (3) Lucky Dime was last seen breaking her maiden for Bill Mott at Gulfstream Park almost a year ago.

8^th race – (7) Queentigua (D) took late betting action from 31-1 to 23-1 at the Big A in another NY-bred maiden claimer for a $25,000 tag. On that day, she raced early inside and swung five-wide late in the race.  (3) Sweet Sneak drops down from a second for a $40,000 tag after a two-month layoff for trainer George Weaver. (1) Judiciary has been racing for Linda Rice at Finger Lakes in her first three starts against open company in maiden special weights. Rice’s top rider Jose Lezcano takes the mount. (10) La Reine Rouge switches to the barn of Greg Matties after two poor starts at Finger Lakes against open company and now drops into this spot for low-profile trainer who can be dangerous at a big price.

Best bets:  Dancing Buck (3^rd); Jump for Joy (7^th). Best value:  Ifihadachance (2^nd); Queentigua (8^th).