Aqueduct Hotlist - February 4

Today’s New York Hot List races to watch – Thursday, February 4, 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 – (6) Not Phar Now will make the drop from the maiden special weight ranks for NY-breds to that of a $40,000 maiden claimer for Linda Rice whose barn has started to win plenty of races in the past couple of weeks. He consistently has the best speed figures in this field. (5) Me n’ Sap was second in his most recent start at the same level for David Donk and looks like he is ready to again compete for the win. (7) Black Irish flashed speed and had the lead in the same race as his stablemate in the Donk barn. (1) Simbasalltrouble will make his second start since switching the barn of trainer Pat Kelly. His form improved in his debut for Kelly.

3^rd race – (1) Chaysenbryn (B) had the lead in a strongly contested pace battle and then held on gamely for second in a starter allowance like this spot. (2) Cousin Basil was part of that pace duel with the Hot List horse where he was second right behind and ended up finishing third. (3) Halo City was claimed for $40,000 out of a N2L victory by almost six lengths and now will try this starter allowance. (5) Magnetique will make a similar move after a convincing win of his own against N2L company at today’s distance of one mile.

4^th race – (3) Social Group was a convincing debut winner as an odds-one favorite in a $20,000 maiden claimer for Rudy Rodriguez. He will now face winners for a $25,000 tag in a N2L condition. (8) Amistad was third behind the place horse who came right back to win his next start. (2) Judge Alexander had a career best speed figure when he broke his maiden for $25,000 against NY-breds. (4) Open Lengths was claimed from George Weaver for $16,000 by trainer Mertkan Kantarmaci who wins at 24% with his new runners.

8^th race – (7) Brew Pub (C) returns in another maiden special weight for state-breds after finishing second in a blanket finish against a very good field when he was bet down from 6-1 to 3-1. (5) Full Moon Fever was second in his last two tries at this level with very good speed figures compared to most of this new field. (3) Big Luther will make his debut for the team of Todd Pletcher and Mike Repole. (9) Bingo John was third in his debut for Brad Cox at odds of 5-1 and now gets Lasix.

Best bets:  Not Phar Now (1^st); Chaysenbryn (3^rd). Best value:  Social Group (4^th); Brew Pub (8^th).