Belmont Park Hotlist - October 24

Today’s New York Hot List races to watch – Saturday, October 24, 2020 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 worst
* - 4 or more betting notches if 11-1 or more.

1^st race – (12) Cotton (C) was bet down from 5-1 to 7-2 in his turf debut at Belmont Park last time for Mark Casse. He ran third in what was his best effort in three starts and now stretches out to a route on the grass. (11) Ruse makes the second start of his career after showing some speed in his debut at longshot odds and now gets the services of Johnny V. for trainer Tim Hills. (10) Swashbuckle will make his debut for the team of Joel Rosario and Christophe Clement. He is the first foal from a mare who was a stakes winner of more than $221,000. Clement has a positive ROI with 25% winners from first-time starters. (9) Humpday is another quality firster from a mare with two winners from two to race including a stakes winner.

2^nd race – (4) Chasing Cara (B) tossed her head and then jumped at the start in her last start where she eventually finished third in another NY-bred stakes race. Still a maiden she will go another furlong in this stake against state-breds. (3) Party At Page’s won her last two starts including a stake at Finger Lakes last time for Jeremiah Englehart and Luis Saez gets back aboard here. (7) Mashnee Girl tried the turf last time in a Grade 3 against open company and now moves back to the dirt to face state-breds where she broke her maiden for Mark Hennig. (5) Frost Me pressed the early pace and drew off to win easily in her career debut in a race that was meant for the grass. She stays on the main track here and Jose Ortiz retains the mount.

3^rd race – (4) Breadman (A) won his career debut as the race favorite. He broke slowly and swept to the lead and won impressively on the turf. Now, trainer John Terranova tries this NY-bred stakes race on the main track. (3) Masked Marauder (C) was well-bet from 6-1 to 3-1 in his second race. He set the pace and ended up second behind the top choice and now they meet up again. (2) Hold the Salsa won a NY-bred stake at Belmont three weeks ago after a stalking trip going seven furlongs. He’ll get another furlong as he tries to win another for owner, breeder, trainer Richard Lugovich. (6) Brooklyn Strong again ships up to Belmont from Delaware Park and Jose Ortiz stays on board after they ran third behind Hold the Salsa last time out.

11^th race – (7) Advanced Strategy (C) was once again heavily bet ending up as the favorite from 5-1. He broke his maiden finally after stretching out on the turf. He comes back to face winners for the first time in a state-bred allowance. (9) Big Wonder drops out of a Grade 3 at Belmont to face fellow NY-breds. (11) On the Couch broke his maiden at Belmont after a three-month layoff. (12) Impazible Odds will also return to state-bred competition where last seen he missed the win by a neck in a similar allowance.

Best bets: Breadman (3^rd); Advanced Strategy (11^th). Best value:  Cotton (1^st); Chasing Cara (2^nd).

@NYHotList Saturday Pick 3 Special --
The Saturday Special $1 Pick 3 is on races 1-3 and includes two NY-bred stakes races:  10, 11, 12 with 3, 4, 7 with 2, 3, 4, 6 = $36.