Belmont at the Big A Hotlist - October 8

Today’s NY Hot List races to watch – Saturday, October 8, 2022
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 worst
* - 4 or more betting notches if 11-1 or more.

1^st race [Md Sp Wt, 6F TURF] – (10) Will Be Famous (B) was entered for the turf last time but had to race on a good sealed track a little over two weeks ago. Hopefully, she will get to race on the grass this time. (4) Lexi’s Spirit had a promising debut race when she rallied for eighth to fourth. Trainer Mark Hennig typically races his horses into shape. (2) Every Time set the pace in her first start at odds of 9-2 at Colonial Downs and finished fourth. (5) Love Tank set the pace at Kentucky Downs last time for Mike Maker. She was second at Belmont Park in her second start back in June. She should be on the lead again.

8^th race [Turf Classic (G1), 1 ½ mi TURF] – (7) Gufo is in the best form of his career with a win in the Sword Dancer (G1) and a nose loss in the Turf Cup at Kentucky Downs. He runs well on turf with some moisture in it. (2) War Like Goddess will take on the boys for the first time in her career with eight wins from 11 starts. If runs her best race there is no reason that she cannot win against this caliber field of guys. (6) Soldier Rising also appreciates some give in the grass. He rallied from last to finish third just a length behind the winner in the Sword Dancer with the best speed figure of his career. (3) Adhamo was a disappointment in the Sword Dancer after winning the United Nations (G1) at Monmouth Park. He finished ahead of the top choice back in June in the Manhattan (G1).

9^th race [Clm 40000 N2L, 7F] – (1) Baltasar makes the big drop down from good form in starter allowances to the N2L condition. He is projected to be the pace setter and should not look back as he gets significant class relief. (6) Cash in a Flash will cut back in distance and move from turf to dirt where he ran well in the past. He will make his first start for Rob Atras who claimed him for $35,000. (7) Hang Tight was claimed from a second at Saratoga for $25,000 by Linda Rice. (5) Slow Decision broke his maiden is his first start after he was claimed by Peter Walder.

10^th race [NY, Alw 85000 N1X, 1 1/16 mi TURF] – (4) She’s a Mia (B) was hard held early, got stymied in the stretch, and rallied well once she got clear. (1) New Ginya exits a pair of second-place finishes at this level for Christophe Clement. In five starts, she never finished worse than fourth. (2) Tapple Cider broke her maiden for $40,000 two races back against NY-breds and came right back to finish second in an open company claimer. (6) Fist Full of Dice takes the blinkers off as she moves back to state-bred company.

Best bets: Gufo (8^th); Baltasar (9^th). Best value: Will Be Famous (1^st); She’s a Mia (10^th).

Saturday Pick 3 Special --
The Saturday Special $1 Pick 3 covers races 8-10 and includes the Turf Classic (G1) à 2, 6, 7 with 1 with 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10 = $21.