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 and finished 1st through 3rd
*D: Went down 2 or more betting notches and finished 4^th or worst
* - 4 or more betting notches if 11-1 or more.

1^st race – (1) Devil’s Playground has speed and the rail and may not look back. (11) Typhoon Fury rallied for second and looks like the one to fear. (4) Princetown may wake up on turf. (9) Bourbon Outlaw should be a factor in the final furlong.

2^nd race – (3) Spirit Animal has been first or second in his last nine starts and gets the nod here. (5) Fly the W has been no worse than third in his last 12 starts and looks like the one to fear in a battle of highly classy runners. (9) Be Like Clint had a troubled trip last time and should be a factor here. (1) The Best Distance will benefit from a ground-saving trip.

3^rd race - (8) Set was a highly impressive debut winner and looks best here. (2) Salvattore Prince may enjoy a turf sprint. (1) King Julien will helped by an inside post. (4) Tok Tok stumbled in his 3-year-old debut and deserves a second chance.

4^th race – (8) Fredo has a nice turn of early speed and could work out a great trip here. (1) Rotterdam should be a big factor late. (6) Read On is dangerous off the Crichton claim. (11) Napoleonic War will helped by a class drop.

5^th race – (6) MIndframe has been working nicely for his debut and should be tough to beat. (10) Idoneo is an interesting firster from Mott. (9) One Sharp Cookie was second last time out and has the advantage of four career starts. (2) Assertor can move forward after a useful debut.

6th race – Pan American Stakes (G2) - (6) Tawny Port missed by a neck last time and can make amends here. (8) Starting Over beat the top pick last time and should be the main rival. (2) Kertez is an intriguing possibility in his US debut. (5) Candidate would benefit from an easy pace.

7th race –  Ghostzapper Stakes (G3) - (8) Donegal Forever won both career starts and will get tested for class here. (5) Tumbarumba missed by a nose last time and should be in the picture once again. (6) Steal Sunshine beat Tumbarumba by a nose last time and cannot be overlooked. (1) Lure Him In has the rail and merits a look.

8^th race –- (7) Ozara was hurt by a wide trip last time and should get a better journey here. (8) Hello Hollywood broke her maiden nicely and could have a bright future. (6) Joyful Lass has a nice turn of speed and could be hard to catch. (1) Destiny Star may shine from the rail.

9^th race – (5) Shaq Diesel has a good late kick and may benefit from a solid pace and a more favorable distance. (2) Implementation gets Irad and cannot be overlooked. (1) Vivir Con Alegria has good early speed and can capitalize on a rail trip. (3) Long Range Toddy fits nicely here.

10^th race – Orchid Stakes (G3)  - (3) R Calli Kim was a sharp winner over the course last time and can make it two in row today. (6) McKulick didn’t fire in the Breeders’ Cup but should be a main threat here. (4) Surprisingly was second in the Pegasus Filly and Mare Turf and will make her presence felt. (8) Anatolian will be dangerous on her best try.

11^th race – Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2)  - (4) Ways and Means was highly regarded at 2. Makes up for lost time here in her 2024 debut. (9) Scalable can bounce back to top form after a disappointing try. (8) Fiona’s Magic has speed and can hang around until the end. (5) Into Champagne was a game second last time and has the credentials to be a main contender.

12^th race – (8) Marketsegmentation has been away since July but seems ready for a stellar 2024 debut. (1)  Candy Light may wake up with some help from a rail trip. (6) Cairo Consort could work out a solid trip in this field. (3) Angel Nadeshiko looms the pacesetter in this field.

13^th race – (3) Ice Chocolat rallied wide for third from the outside. Gets a better trip and result in this spot. (5) Never Surprised missed by a nose after a long layoff and should benefit from that effort. (9) Smokin’ T didn’t fire last time but seems primed for a better try here.  (4) Big Everest usually turns in a solid try.

14^th race – Florida Derby (G1)  - (10) Fierceness seems to run a good one and then a bad one. He’s due for a good one, but the post is a concern. (9) Conquest Warrior has looked impressive in two wins over the track and seems ready for his stakes debut. (2) Hades has speed and an inside post. Definitely a threat to win but he could be challenged early by Fierceness in what may be a tough speed duel. (4) Grand Mo the First missed by a neck in a promising try in the Tampa Bay Derby.