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.

2^nd race [NY, Md Sp Wt, 7F] – (7) Paschal Moon was second in his last two starts and appears to be much faster than this bunch and can get loose on the lead. (1) Twirling Vine was third in his last three starts since adding Lasix in December. (5) Saka Shocka will make his debut for Chad Brown and that makes him one to be considered especially in this field. (2) Squid Gamer has been off since May after being bet in all four starts and running in some better quality fields.

5^th race [OC62k/N2X, 6½ F] – (5) Emerald Forest was claimed for $50,000 from a November win and came back to finish just a half-length behind a horse that would win again. He is projected to be on the lead in a paceless race. (2) Midlaner ran two strong races coming back from a seven month layoff including a big speed figure last time following a neck loss. (6) Wake Surf ran a race two starts back that makes him a contender. (3) Power Seeker has caught three wet and sealed tracks in a row with a win and a third.

6^th race [Clm 10000, 1 1/8 mi] – (2) Wild Banker makes a big drop in class down to this lowest claiming level at Aqueduct with seven career wins in his record and two at the nine-furlong distance. (1) Bold Medication drops back down to a better level having won twice at Tampa Bay Downs for $8,000. (3) Hang Tight was a winner at Aqueduct three races back for a $16,000 tag running today’s distance. (4) Co Conspirator has flashed some early speed which he will need to use to have a chance to compete here.

7^th race [OC 80k/C, 1 mi] – (6) Law Professor will try to become a millionaire with a win in this top-level allowance that has a stakes quality field. He won a similar spot last month at Aqueduct where he has a great record including the Excelsior in the spring. (4) Petulante returns from a June layoff when he won his last three starts including a win in the Salvator Mile (G3) at Monmouth Park. (3) Olympic Dreams won twice this winter at the Big A before running third behind the top choice. (8) Guntown likes the mile distance and the New York track with a pair of wins and a second in his last four races.

Best bets: Paschal Moon (2^nd); Wild Banker (6^th). Best value: Emerald Forest (5^th); Law Professor (7^th).