Belmont at the Big A Hotlist - September 22

Today’s New York Hot List races to watch – Thursday, September 22, 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 worse
* - 4 or more betting notches if 11-1 or more.

4^th race [NY, Md 40000, 6F] – (2) With Know Name (B) made a big improvement in his second start on a sloppy track with the addition of blinkers and Irad in the saddle and now drops in for a tag. (3) Somoma Beach (D) had an unusual odds drop from 25-1 to 16-1 in his debut where he set the pace and then faded. (7) Testa Dura will make his first start and typically Linda Rice does not do well with debut runners, but she has 25% winners with maiden claimers. (9) Fast Study is a son of Accelerate from Wellspring Stables and trainer Jimmy Ryerson.

5^th race [NY, Md Sp Wt, 6F] – (5) Stonewall Star pressed the pace, took the lead, and then finished second in her first career start. (2) La Conquistadora will make her debut for Kelly Breen after a series of workouts at Monmouth Park. The dam produced two stakes-placed runners. (3) Silver Skillet was fourth in her first career start for Christophe Clement at 7-1. (7) The Splendid One in her second start set the pace and finished second going seven furlongs at Saratoga.

6^th race [NY, OC45k/N2X, 6F TURF] – (5) Deep Cover (C) is projected to be part of the early pace after running second at this level last time in a race where he had to steady after the rider was intimidated by Irad’s aggression. He was bet down from 4-1 to 2-1. (4) Neuro has two starts this year and improved to win the first-level allowance after a late rally at Saratoga. (3) Yarrow was third last time behind the Hot List horse after he broke through the gate. (1) Not Phar Now could be on the lead after setting the pace in all of his recent starts. He was claimed for $32,000 by Brad Cox after running second against open company.

9^th race [Md 40000, 6F TURF] – (4) Lady Firefoot (B) moved up to run for a $75,000 tag where she had another troubled trip in her second start and now drops back down in class. (10) Divine Wine was 5-1 in her debut last year for Chad Brown and will now make her first 2022 start but as part of the Jorge Abreu barn. (5) Diamant Damsha set the pace in her last two starts and hit the board both times for Brad Cox. (2) Spicy Ginger will add blinkers for her second start after making her debut at Belmont Park in June which is a 28% winning move for George Weaver and will drop down in class.

Best bets:  With Know Name (4^th); Stonewall Star (5^th). Best value:  Deep Cover (6^th); Lady Firefoot (9^th).