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) Dual Monarchy takes a big class drop and looks best here. (4) Inexorable is worth a close look while moving to the Diodoro barn. (2) Sound Doctrine may wake up at this level. (5) Jewelstown has speed and looks like a main threat here. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-4-5.

3rd race – (2) Cigarette Boat (C) was bet down from 7-2 to 5-2 and lost by a nose. Gets the win today. (11) Salt Spray was second on Tapeta and should handle turf as well. (6) Tasterfor the King seems ready for his 2023 debut. (9) American Raider should be a factor in the final furlong. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-6-9-11.

5th race – (5) Remembering had a useful debut and should appreciate stretching out to two turns. (6) Collier fizzled in her debut but may perk up here. (1) My Favorite Girl could be a factor in her first start. (9) Iuka Miss should be more of a factor in her second start. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-5-6-9. Doubles: 1-5-6-9 with 1-4-8-9. Pick 3: 1-5-6-9 with 1-4-8-9 with 3-4-7-9.

6th race – (1) Sam’s Treasure was an impressive winner at Saratoga and can make it two in a row here. (9) Too Fast for You has been working sharpy for this start. (4) Streaming Now was third in a stakes and belongs in the exotics. (8) Twirling Queen has enough early speed to be a key contender. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place.  Exacta box: 1-4-8-9. Doubles: 1-4-8-9 with 3-4-7-9.

7th race – (7) Yamato gets some class relief here and should prevail. (3) Quadra Island won nicely after some freshening and looks like the main rival. (4) English Tavern hasn’t raced since March but seems ready for a solid effort. (9) Storm the Court could be dangerous on his best try. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-7-9.