Belmont at the Big A Hotlist - September 29

Today’s New York Hot List races to watch – Thursday, September 29, 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.

1^st race [Md Sp Wt, 6F] – (4) Arrogant Lady returns from her debut in June of 2021 when she was 7-1, pressed the pace, and finished third for Christophe Clement. (2) Alessia was third in her first start at Keeneland and then fourth at Saratoga, both times behind horses that won their next start. Nick Zito has not won a race this year. (3) Kitten’s Appeal moves to the barn of Bruce Levine after four starts at Gulfstream Park. Last time she pressed the pace and finished third after having the lead in the stretch. (6) Funny How has a pair of thirds against NY-breds for Ray Handal.

2^nd race [Md Sp Wt, 6F TURF] – (5) Theregoesmymiracle (C) was bet down from 7-1 to 5-1 and chased a front-end winner to finish second just two weeks ago at BAQ. (6) Rocket’s Red Glare made a big improvement in his second start to get second for Linda Rice. (7) Java Buzz raced five times for Linda Rice as a pace presser and never ran worse than fourth. (3) Smoke and Heat was claimed for $75,000 at Saratoga in his last start with competitive past performances in maiden special weights. New trainer had him gelded and the blinkers come off.

4^th race [Clm 25000, 6 ½ F] – (2B) Alpine Queen was claimed from his last two starts including a N3L condition victory at Saratoga. New trainer Jose Camejo is winning at 36% with his newly claimed horses. (4) Daily Briefing also won a N3L claimer at the Spa and then stepped up to run fourth in the starter allowance. (5) Prairie Fire was claimed from his last three starts and now lands in the barn of Mertkan K. (6) Shadolamo ran two weeks ago at BAQ in a NY-bred allowance now drops back to a claiming level at which he is a past winner.

7^th race [OC80k/N3X, 1 mi TURF] – (5) Therapist drops in for the $80,000 tag for the first time after a fourth in a Kentucky Downs allowance that came after a four month layoff. He is a past stakes winner with four wins at a mile. (1) Big Everest won two races leading up to a fifth at this level when he ran behind a horse that came back to win a graded stakes race. He is projected to be the pace setter that could get loose on the lead. (6) Good Governance was fourth in a Monmouth Park stakes race following an allowance victory at Saratoga for Chad Brown. (2) Dreams of Tomorrow will make his 2022 debut for Shug McGaughey.

Best bets:  Arrogant Lady (1^st); Alpine Queen (4^th). Best value:  Theresgoesmymiracle (2^nd); Therapist (7^th).