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 [Clm 25000B, 1 mi] – (2) Iron Works returned from a layoff to run twice in second-level allowances and earned a pair of speed ratings that tower over the rest of this field. (8) Devil’s Cay was a winner of the N2L condition in the early summer, then tried three much tougher race, and drops back to an appropriate level. (3) Gut Feeling was a winner two races back in another N2L claimer and then tried a starter allowance. (5) Inspeightoftrainer drops down into a restricted claimer for the first time in her career with two wins against stronger level races.

3^rd race [Md Sp Wt, 1 mi] – (2) Lucency (B) was fractious pre-race and then raced greenly against a string field back in July. (6) Ringside tried the turf following a layoff without any success but moves back to the main track where he showed early speed. (4) Escalation Clause will make his debut for Chad Brown. He was a $400,000 purchase last year as a 2-year-old. (3) Billy Price made his first start 15 months ago on the turf and was claimed that day.

4^th race [Clm 10000, 6F] – (4) Never Early (D) was claimed in September from a fourth-place finish for $10,000 when he was bet down from 12-1 to 7-1. (2) Prince James, who was claimed from his last three starts for $20,000 or $25,000, drops down to a level at which he ran well several times. (9) F F Rocket drops down to the lowest level claimer currently offered at this meeting. He won for a $20,000 tag 3 races back. (1) Handsome Cat takes the blinkers off as he also makes a significant drop in class.

10^th race [NY, Alw 75000 N1X, 6F TURF] – (8) Image of Quality (D) was last seen in Saratoga making his second career start after getting bet down from 9-1 to 7-1. He ate a lot of dirt and had to steady early in the race. (7) Icy Flavor raced in California last year and made his 2023 debut in the fall. His second start of the year was a much improved second after setting the pace. (2) Kreesa will get back on the turf which is his best surface. (6) Russi finally got on the grass and broke his maiden at Saratoga after a pair of dirt seconds.

Best bets: Iron Works (2^nd); Lucency (3^rd). Best value: Never Early (4^th); Image of Quality (10^th).

Saturday Pick 3 Special --
The Saturday Special $1 Pick 3 covers races 2-4 à 2 with 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 with 1, 2, 4, 9 = $20.