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 [NY, Md 30000, 1 1/8 mi] – (7) Tiz the Prince drops back to this level at which he finished second at Saratoga and since he was fourth in a pair of maiden special weights. Blinkers go on. (2) Janssen has five second-place finishes at this claiming price. (3) Landauer moves from turf to dirt after running fifth twice for a $40,000 tag. (4) Dream Alliance debuted a 4-1 in a Maiden Special Weight at Finger Lakes in August.

2^nd race [Clm 16000 N2L, 1 mi] – (5) York Tavern has four top three finishes in N2L claimers since August. Three weeks ago he had the lead and was second at Aqueduct. (4) Conniving rallied to get second two weeks back at this level at the Big A. (1) Hours in a Day and (1A) Beary Funny are both win contenders for Linda Rice. (3) Golden Purchase pressed the pace and finished second in a similar spot in October.

3^rd race [Md Sp Wt, 6 ½ F] – (1) Letter Perfect debuted in August at 5-1 and has since moved to the barn of Rudy Rodriguez. (6) Elvis Himself finished second in his first start which was at Laurel Park in June and was recently third at Parx Racing following a four month layoff. (2)  Tomorrow’s Wish had a couple of decent races to start his career. (3) He Has It All used early speed to be a win contender in a series of NY-bred races.

5^th race [Clm 25000 N2L, 6F] – (6) She’s Cool (B) broke last, rushed up into contention, finished third, and now drops down from the $40,000 level. (1) Snappin’ Buttons has been off since May having won his debut against state-breds and then was second twice in allowances after having the lead. (4) Diamond Status just missed the win after setting the pace in his second start following a layoff. (3) Patty Van Twinkle moves to the barn of Charlie Baker after racing on the lead in a turf sprint and ran third.

Best bets:  Tiz the Prince (1^st): York Tavern (2^nd). Best value: Letter Perfect (3^rd); She’s Cool (5^th).

Saturday Pick 3 Special --
Saturday Special $1 Pick 3 covers races 1-3 and includes a New York Stallion Series Stakes à 2, 7 with 1/1A, 4, 5 with 1, 6 = $12.