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.

3rd race – (8) La Fantastica put in some sharp works for her debut and gets the nod here. (13) Long Neck Paula will be dangerous if she can get into the race. (12) Preciseness seems on edge for her debut. (4) Minty put in a bullet gate work for her debut. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-8-12-13. Doubles: 4-8-12-13 with 3-4-6.

4^th race – (6) Angkor is working sharply for his 2024 debut and seems best in this spot. (3) Scotland was a stakes winner and should be the one to fear. (4) Closethegame Sugar may appreciate a switch to dirt. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-6.

6th race – (6) Castlewarden was a sharp maiden winner and seems capable of handling winners. (7) Classic Legacy was second the last two times and looms the main threat. (3) Cold as Hell may wake up in this spot. (4) Underhill’s Tab cannot be overlooked in this field. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place.  Exacta box: 3-4-6-7.

9th race – (7) Shoot It True (C) dropped from 3-5 to 2-5 and won for fun. Can make it two straight here. (3) The Queens M G looks like a main contender. (9) Mensa won his debut sharply at Gulfstream. (5) Jet Sweep Joe cannot be ignored. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place.  Exacta box: 3-5-7-9.

11th race – (9) Carl Spackler seems set to open 2024 on a winning note. (10) Talk of the Nation appears on edge for his 2024 debut. (6) Ice Chocolat should be a late threat here. (1) Ah Jeez should be helped by a rail trip. Betting strategy: 9 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-6-9-10.