By Bob Ehalt and Matt Shifman

Hot List Key:

A : A preferred horse to watch                   B: Secondary horse to watch
*C: Went down 2 or more betting notches in the final 3 minutes 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.

1st race – (2) J. P. Race returns to a claimer and looks best here. (6) Express Cruiser steps up in class but should be tough to catch in this field. (3) Tim Tal can make some noise here. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-6.

3rd race – (5) Gagliardi moves to the main track and should turn in an improved effort. (2) Run Jalen Run has been no worse than third in his last four starts and should be the main rival. (1) Capital Connection will be a threat from the rail. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-5. Doubles: 1-2-5 with 1-3-4-7.

4th race – (3) Soaring Bird (C) was bet down from 5-2 to 9-5 and posted a solid win. Can make it two in a row here. (4) G T Five Hundred drops into a claimer and should be the main rival. (1) Born Flawless drops off the Amoss claim and cannot be ignored. (7) Sir Ollie has sharp speed and will benefit from a rail trip. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place.  Exacta box: 1-3-4-7.

6th race – (4) Broughty Ferry was a strong second last time and gets the win here. (3) Malu has been no worse than third in his last five starts and looks like the one to fear. (7) I Had That One Too might wake up in a claimer. (6) New Beat should respond to the class drop. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place.  Exacta box: 3-4-6-7.

8th race – (5) Midnight Rising tired in a stakes but can bounce back with a win here. (4) Salute the Stars makes his first start since September and seems ready for a sharp effort. (1) Classic Catch should be a threat in the stretch. (6) Warrior Johny merits consideration here. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place.  Exacta box: 1-4-5-6.