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 – (4) Doc Ballard (B) was fractious at the gate and still managed to lose by only a neck. Should make amends here. (3) Networking could be effective at this level off the class drop. (8) Heart Boy was second in his last two starts and belongs in the exotics. (9) Domi fits in nicely with this group. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-8-9.

4th race – (5) Angelas Party Girl rallied wide for second and should work out a better trip in this spot. (7) Harlan’s Legacy is worth a look while switching to turf. (2) Artifact rallied for third last time but should be a factor at the end. (4) Cloud Storage could take a step forward off the Casse claim. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 5-7. Exactas: 5-7 over 2-4 and 2-4 over 5-7. Doubles: 2-4-5-7 with 2-3-4-5.

5th race – (3) Bach has a nice late kick and should benefit from some added distance. (4) Greg’s Honor was a nose behind the top pick and figures to be the main rival once again. (5) Capture Mi has some speed and could be a factor to the end in this field. (2) Bluto’s Candy may be a factor in the final furlong. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-4-5.

7th race – (5) Best Defense (C) was bet down from 3-1 to 2-1 and posted a front-running win. Can make it two in a row off the Maker claim. (8) No Name Dude returns to Tapeta and seems ready for a strong effort. (6) Marley Luck should also welcome a race back on Tapeta. (3) Loco Abarrio will be part of the early pace and could hang on. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-5-6-8.

9th race – (7) Masterofthesenate has been getting better with each start and seems ready for a winning effort today. (2) Street Vendor had a rough start when fourth and should be closer here. (1) Nantasket Beach will be helped by a ground-saving trip from the rail. (6) Chasing Rainbows could be tough to catch in this spot. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-6-7.