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) Persia debuts for Mandella and seems set for a big effort. (4) Spirit Rules put in a solid bullet work for her debut. (8) Vibez seems well-bred for turf. (7) Cyprus Moon is worth a look in this field. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-7-8.

3rd race – (7) Rugelach will welcome the class drop into a claimer. (2) Adelie should be a main threat in the stretch. (5) Lights Astern had some trouble in her debut and deserves a second chance. (9) Paid In Gold has enough early speed to be a factor here. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-5-7-9.

5th race – (1) Freedom Flyer exits stakes company and has a class edge here. (3) Brandon’smylawyer makes her 2023 debut and has been training sharply. (5) Honey Pants may wake up in this spot. (7) Angelcents could be tough to reel in here. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-5-7. Doubles: 1-3-5-7 with 1-3-6-7.

6th race – (3) Poetica (A) was a solid second last time and should graduate here. (6) Sultry Kitten may respond to a switch to dirt. (7) Satoshi should perk up on dirt. (1) Miss Monarch Bay will benefit from a rail trip. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-6-7.

8th race – (8) Donttestyourluck drops to what should be a winning level. (9) Noble Union returns from along layoff in a claimer. Could emerge as the main threat. (6) Park City may be a contender at this level. (1) Another Journey seems to fit in with these. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-6-8-9.