Aqueduct Hotlist - January 7

Today’s New York Hot List races to watch – Friday, January 7, 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.

3^rd race [NY, Md 40000, 6 ½ F] – (9) Gimmedamoney moves from the barn of Michael Maker to that of Mike Catalano who is based at Parx. He drops into the claiming ranks for the first time with three speed figures that top this field of state-breds. (2) Silver Samurai could be the lone speed in this field. Last time he set the pace and then finished third. (3) Winetastic will drop into a claimer and move to the dirt for his second career start for Jorge Abreu. (8) Southern Civility will make the first start of his career for veteran trainer Pat Reynolds.

5^th race [Md Sp Wt, 6F] – (4) Champagne Poetry (B) made her career debut last month in a turf sprint at odds of 5-2. She raced greenly, had to steady, and still finished third. (3) Glitter Up will move from turf to dirt while exiting the same race as the Hot List horse that she beat after setting the pace. Her pedigree says that she should handle dirt racing. (9) Continentalcongres has good efforts on both turf and dirt and gets a positive rider change to Lezcano. (8) Cupids Girl finished mid-pack in her debut at Aqueduct in November after a less than ideal start.

7^th race [NY, Alw 72000, 1 mi] – (1) Shalimar Gardens was fourth in a pair of Grade 2 races and now drops back to the first-level allowance for the first time in her career. She broke her maiden at Belmont Park by more than 11 lengths. (7) Destinationwnrscir was third at this level last time following a four-month layoff for trainer Charlie Baker who is having a strong Aqueduct meeting. (3) Left Leaning Lucy has three good performances against open company in claimers and now goes back to state-bred competition. (4) Voice of Spring was a maiden special winner back in May and returns here for Linda Rice.

8^th race [NY, Md 25000, 6F] – (1) Endless Crusade set the pace in her last two starts at the $40,000 level, finished second and third, and now gets a favorable rider change to Jose Ortiz. (2) The Honorable Ruth has four career starts and hit the board in all of them. Now, she drops to this low level for the first time. (6) Half Birthday tried a NY Stallion Series race and got overwhelmed but was competitive in her first two starts. (7) Rock Lobster will make her debut for Rudy Rodriguez who is dangerous with first-timers that are in for a tag.

Best bets:  Champagne Poetry (5^th); Shalimar Gardens (7^th). Best value:  Gimmedamoney (3^rd); Endless Crusade (8^th).