Aqueduct Hotlist - February 24

Today’s New York Hot List races to watch – Thursday, February 24, 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.

5^th race [Md Sp Wt, 1 1/8 mi] – (8) Red Line Overdrive debuted at Belmont Park and then went to Florida with Todd Pletcher. In his first race he set the pace and faded to fourth then at Gulfstream Park he was second between two good horses. Now, he’s back in New York stretching out to nine furlongs as it has gotten hard to find dirt races at that Florida track. (3) Beyond Best is another Pletcher runner with the same pattern as the top choice going from Belmont to Gulfstream in his first two starts. (4) South Street will make his first start since moving to the barn of Bill Mott after racing out west for John Shirreffs where he faced some tough competition from Baffert and O’Neill horses. (5) Writeitontheice steps up to the maiden special weight ranks after two good starts for a tag for Rudy Rodriguez.

6^th race [NY, Alw 72000 N1X, 1 mi] – (2) Son of an Ex has a maiden win and a second at this level since joining the barn of Randi Persaud and returning from a long layoff. (6) Dr Ardito comes back from an April layoff for Chad Brown after breaking his maiden in his second try as the odds-on favorite at Aqueduct. He has been training in New York because of his strong performances at the Big A. (5) Breadman was third at this level in his first start back after a nine-month break. Trainer John Terranova has excellent numbers going into a second race following a layoff. (4) Fenway is now officially being trained by Terranova after racing in New York with Bob Baffert listed as the trainer. He has been off since October when he broke his maiden at Belmont.

7^th race [OC80k/N3X, 6F] – (4) Aunt Kat (A) returned from a brief layoff to run third at this level for Bill Mott when she raced wide against a bias. She was stakes-placed at Saratoga this summer. (5) Its Cold in Dehere was second ahead of the Hot List horse in her last start for Linda Rice. (3) Piece of My Heart was claimed in October at Keeneland for $62,500 by Danny Gargan when she had the lead in the stretch and lost by a neck. This will be her first start for Gargan. (2) Glory Dia has been off since December when she won an allowance at Parx Racing with a stalking trip.

8^th race [OC50k/SAL50k, 6F] – (4) Beverly’s Charge gets some class relief after facing tough company at Turfway Park for Michael Maker after he claimed her for $80,000 at Churchill Downs. (9) Rooski has three board-hitting finishes in a row including a win and a second at this level. (1) Lady Milagro set the pace and finished third in the Ruthless at Aqueduct 18 days ago. (8) Kingdom Queen was second at this level last time going a mile at the Big A.

Best bets:  Aunt Kat (7^th); Beverly’s Charge (8^th). Best value:  Red Line Overdrive (5^th); Son of an Ex (6^th).