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 [Alw 100000 N1X, 1 1/8 mi] – (3) Unmatched Wisdom (A) was an impressive debut winner for Chad Brown and Klaravich Stables recording a speed figure that towers over this field of winners. (5) Paddington had the lead in the stretch of his 2024 debut and finished second. (1) Seeking Unity set the pace ended up third in her first try at this level after a series of starter allowances. (6) Cool Operator won his last two races moving from a maiden claimer to a starter allowance.

3^rd race [Clm 16000 N2L, 1 1/8 mi] – (5) Opportunity Set (C) set the pace and finished third after taking a flood of late money dropping from 16-1 to 6-1. That was his best performance in more than a year. (7) I’m Just won a maiden claimer after an eight-month layoff by almost five lengths. (1) October Bliss stepped up into tougher races after his first victory and now drops into a more appropriate level. (3) Because the Night began his career winning a maiden special weight, tried a stakes race and several starter allowances, and moves into today’s level for the first time.

5^th race [NY, Md Sp Wt, 6F TURF] – (2) Daybright Delights broke slowly in his debut race and rallied to finish second last month for hot trainer Ray Handal. (8) Launch Control set the pace and ended up in third in his first start after a year layoff. (7) New York Scrappy will make his first career start showing several fast workouts for Mark Casse. (10) Oreno will make his first start as a home-bred from the farm of trainer Jimmy Bond showing a series of steady works at Belmont Park.

10^th race [Wild Applause, 1 mi TURF] – (9) Oversubscribed (A) got off to an awkward start, had to check later in the race, and rallied for second as a heavy favorite in his second start. The European-bred 3-year-old filly was a debut winner in February at Tampa Bay Downs for Chad Brown as the top betting choice. (1) Gala Brand was a rare winner as a first-time starter for Bill Mott at Saratoga last summer that went on to beat the boys in the With Anticipation (G3). She ended her juvenile campaign with a Breeders’ Cup appearance. (7) Grayosh broke her maiden in her third start for Brown and then finished fourth in the Wonder Again (G2). (3) Vino Rouge was stakes-placed as a 2-year-old and then moved back onto the turf to begin his 2024 racing campaign with a third-place finish in an allowance.

Best bets:  Unmatched Wisdom (2^nd); Oversubscribed (10^th). Best value: Opportunity Set (3^rd); Daybright Delights (5^th).

Saturday Pick 3 Special --
Saturday Special $1 Pick 3 covers races 1-3 à 1, 6 with 1, 3, 5 with 1, 3, 5, 7 = $24.