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 – (3) Kall Kat drops to a level where she should be competitive. (4) Soulful Tara is a firster worthy of attention. (2) Dream Trap could wake up here. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-4.

3rd race – (1) Sharp Tune debuts for Asmussen and seems ready to win at first asking. (3) Hockey is another firster who can have a promising future. (8) Foolish Front Fifi was second last time and should be in the mix once again. (7) Crystal Symphony is another firster who merits attention. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-5-6. Doubles: 1-5-6 with 1-2-4-9.

5th race – (6) Silver Dust should be effective at this level and distance. (3) What a Country will be well-suited by a dry track. (1) Kunshan Bridge may be helped by a rail trip. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-6.

7th race – (3) Devil’s Tower (D) dropped from 2-1 to 3-2 and was hurt by a wide trip. Deserves a second chance here. (2) Fitzpatrick adds blinkers and is worth a look. (5) Legal Deal could be dangerous off the Kenneally claim. (6) Lost in Limbo has some speed and should be tough to catch. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3. Exactas: 2-3 over 5-6 and 5-6 over 2-3. Doubles: 2-3-5-6 with 2-3-6.

8th race – (2) Bound for Nowhere was second in his 2023 debut and should move forward off that try. (3) Smokin’ Jay can bounce back to top form here. (6) Bad Beat Brian exits stakes company and cannot be overlooked in this field. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-6.