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 [Md Sp Wt, 1 mi] – (2) Best Impression (A) broke a step slowly in her debut in January, rallied to battle down the stretch, and got to be second beaten by just a neck. (4) Stamp of Approval was fourth in her debut at Aqueduct at 3-1. (1) Lumenique broke last in her first start, got far behind, and rallied to get third. She gets blinkers on and first-time Lasix. (5) The Taco Lady will also get blinkers and Lasix in her second start.

2^nd race [NY, OC 80k/N1X, 6 ½ F] – (3) Brick Ambush was second in a similar spot last time following a controversial running of the NY Stallion Series Stakes where he finished second and was mistakenly disqualified to last. (2) Allied Attack was a front-end winner of his maiden in his fourth try and is projected to get loose on the lead. (1) Mad Banker ran well in his last two races which were starter allowances against open company. (4) Solo in Paris is in for the optional $80,000 tag as he returns to NY-bred competition.

3^rd race [Clm 16000, 7F] – (6) Lafitte’s Fleet was claimed for $20,000 two races back when he was second. Last time he was in way too tough a spot in a $40,000 claimer. (4) Ski Patrol was a clear winner last time in a N3L condition. He finished in the top three in 4 out of his last 5 starts. (1) Colonel Vargo won 4 out of 6 of his most recent races including last time in a $10,000 claimer where he was a voided claim. He is expected to be on the lead. (3) Honorary Degree won his last race and was claimed for $10,000 in his first start at the Big A.

4^th race [NY, Md Sp Wt, 6F] – (5) Within View (A) got out of the gate last in his debut last month and rallied to get thirds for a trainer that does not win with first-time starters. (6) Irish Tenor was second and then third in his two career races with a marked increase in speed figures. He is projected to be on the lead and the blinkers go on. (4) Aelfgar was able to press the pace in his second start which led to a second-place finish. (1) Sandy Sweet Tooth / (1A) Boss Three O Two are both first-time starters for Rick Dutrow.

Best bets: Best Impression (1^st); Brick Ambush (2^nd). Best value: Lafitte’s Fleet (3^rd), Within View (4^th).