By Matt Shifman and Bob Ehalt

Hot List Key:
 A: A preferred horse to watch                         B: Secondary horse to watch
*C: Went down 2 or more betting notches 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.

1^st race [NY, Md 30000, 1 mi] – (5) Cause I’m Elegant ran the best race of his career when he rallied in a similar spot to finish second by a neck. (4) Strange Fruit may have the most speed in this field and has a couple of races that make him a contender. (6) Alterina is a newcomer to this level making his second career start for Mark Hennig who is having an excellent meeting. (3) Power and Glory was third at this level in June at Belmont Park.

4^th race [Clm 25000B, 1 mi] – (6) Complete Agenda dropped down to the lowest level of his career with his second lifetime victory happening in a starter allowance. He was claimed from a third in a $35,000 claimer five races back. (3) Classic Mark won a starter allowance last month with a high speed figure. (5) Empire Ride won the N2L condition in June then was second after moving up to today’s level and was claimed. (4) Anthracite won a $50,000 claimer at Monmouth Park in June to get his second win.

5^th race [NY, Md Sp Wt, 7F] – (3) Lady Arwen (A) was fractious pre-race and continued to be difficult to handle when she got taken up early, eventually finishing fourth. (4) Awesome Czech was 2-1 in her debut at Saratoga for a trainer that wins with 25% of his second time starters. (6) Sun and Wind was third in her debut but had a troubled trip last time and adds blinkers now. (2) Buona Salute will make her debut for Rudy Rodríguez who can be sneaky with firsters.

7^th race [NY, OC 45k/N2X, 1 mi] – (1) Bustin Bay moved through the NY-bred allowance conditions and then won a first-level allowance against open company. She can go back to the NY-breds by using the claiming option. (4) Mia Bia Star has been racing with the top choice several times and has a similar sequence of races. (6) Sweet Mystery has not run a bad race in her last 12 starts with 11 top three finishes and a couple of wins. (2) Sweetie won a first-level New York-bred allowance last month at Belmont Park.

Best bets: Lady Arwen (5^th); Bustin Bay (7^th). Best value: Cause I’m Elegant (1^st); Complete Agenda (4^th).