Belmont Park Hotlist - July 1

Today’s New York Hot List races to watch – Friday, July 1, 2022 at Belmont Park
                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 [Alw 50000s, 1 1/16 mi TURF] – (10) Reckless Spirit (B) had to alter path to find running room and finished third following a six-month layoff. (5) Catch That Party was claimed in March at Gulfstream Park by Mike Maker for $35,000 rallying from last to win easily. (2) Front Man won at the N3L condition in his second race after a layoff with a much-improved effort. (1) Practice Squad/(1A) Ricochet entry both have speed and can contend at this level.

5^th race [Md Sp Wt, 6F TURF] – (3) Alcazaba (A) was sent off at 9-2 in his debut and used a late rally to get up for third. He will change to the barn of George Weaver for his second start. (10) Funtastic Again will make his first start for Wesley Ward and is out of a dam that has 3 winners from 4 starts. (9) Son of a Birch is bred for turf being by Temple City and out of a Scat Daddy mare that has had only 1 starter that is a winner of $235,000. (4) Royal Velvet will make his first career start for Christophe Clement. The dam has one to win $217,000.

6^th race [Md Sp Wt, 6 ½ F] – (4) Hoodooland (B) was bet down to 9-5 in his debut for Shug McGaughey and finished second. He will get a little more distance which will be helpful. (6) Twilight Dreams is a full-sister to graded stakes winner Curalina. She will debut for Bill Mott. (5) Mattapoisett is $775,000 daughter of Curlin out of a mare that has produced a stakes winner of $373,000 along with two other six-figure earners. (1) Emmylou was a $220,000 yearling purchase for the team of Peter Brant and Chad Brown.

9^th race [Clm 35000 N3L, 6F TURF] – (12) Boom Boom Kaboom (B) finished second after having to steady and alter course when stuck in traffic. (6) Fast N Fearious has lots of early speed and drops down from a starter allowance. (7) Custom Bobby’s ships up from Monmouth Park for a trainer whose two recent runners ran first and second. He will return to the turf where he showed lots of speed. (8) Charger was claimed from his last three starts and was claimed back by Linda Rice who had a winner with him two starts back.

Best bets:  Alcazaba (5^th); Hoodooland (6^th). Best value:  Reckless Spirit (4^th); Boom Boom Kaboom (9^th).