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 – (1) Brother Rice (B) was claimed out of a second at this level and should prevail today. (3) Sunday Spirit takes a big class drop and is the main rival. (4) Golden Buck was hurt by a wide trip and should get a better one here. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-4. Doubles: 1-3-4 with 2-3-5.

2nd race – (2) Stir Crazy gets back on turf and looks best in this field. (3) Join the Dance has speed and could be tough to catch. (5) Caroline Street exits a stakes race and fits better here. Betting strategy: 2  to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-5.

5th race – (5) Smokey Smokey comes off a narrow stakes win and gets top billing here. (3) Bear River has speed and may control the pace. (1) Sketch will benefit from a rail trip. (6) Okiro will welcome some added ground. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place.  Exacta box: 1-3-5-6. Doubles: 1-3-5-6 with 1-2-3-6.

6th race – (3) Tell Me When drops into a claimer and should be formidable. (1) Sparkle of Hope should pose a late threat in this field. (2) Crackalacking figures to be on the lead and may last until the end. (6) Baytown Lovely seeks back-to-back wins. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place.  Exacta box: 1-2-3-6.

8th race – (5) Mrs. Astor rallied nicely for second last time and should make amends here. (11) Tarneema should pose a late threat. (9) Cairo Street seems overdue for a better effort. (1) Spartan Queen will get a boost from an inside trip. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place.  Exacta box: 1-5-9-11.