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.

3^rd race [NY, Md 25000, 6F] – (6) The Great Gazoo has had a lot of chances to get his maiden victory but recently they have been against open company and for a higher claiming price. (2) Trevor Bardette has a pair of top three finishes since dropping down to the lowest level for NY-bred maidens. He is projected to get to a clear lead and that is often all that is needed to win one of these races. (7) Reunion Tour has four top three finishes in a row at this level.

5^th race [NY, Md 40000, 7F] – (1) Lady Banker made her debut last month at this level and might get loose on the lead from the rail post position. (7) Aperol Spritz was fifth in her first start at odds of 2-1 and should move forward from the experience. (5) Ukrainian Princess finished second and third in two starts as she steps up from the $25,000 level. (3) Berning Honor has four starts that were all in maiden special weights where she had two very good finishes on the turf.

6^th race [Clm 10000, 6 ½ F] – (6) Casalsa (C) made a marked improvement in his second start following a four month layoff when he won an $8,000 claimer, made a big jump in speed figures, and was bet down from 5-1 to 5-2. (3) Winning Drive will make his third after a layoff and was third last time for a $12,500 tag. (7) Charlie Five O comes back from a more than year layoff as a new gelding and makes a huge drop in class from starter allowances. (1) Prince James makes a big drop down from a $25,000 claimer last time.

7^th race [Clm 16000, 1 mi] – (6) Vintage Hollywood (C) was second for a $10,000 tag last time after getting bet down from 11-1 to 7-1. (1) Cool Quartet won a $12,500 claimer two races back by almost six lengths, was claimed, and tried a $25,000 race where he had a troubled trip. (5) My Friends Beer was claimed for $16,000 two races back, stepped in class, and now the blinkers come off as he drops to a level where he ran second. (4) Crypto Cash was claimed from a second-place finish for $8,000 three races back, made a big step up in class where he ran second, and now drops down.

Best bets:  The Great Gazoo (3^rd); Casalsa (6^th). Best value:  Lady Banker (5^th); Vintage Hollywood (7^th).