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 – (5) Seekingbythestorm tired last time and may hang on against this field. (11) Reconnecting may perk up while trying turf. (12) Heading West may be helped by the longer distance and softer fractions. (7) Merry Gold has some speed and may be helped by a jockey switch. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 5-7-11-12. Doubles: 5-7-11-12 with 2-3-4.

2nd race – (4) Battle Cry (A) seeks a fourth straight win here and will be tough to deny. (3) Shes All Woman was given a two-month freshening after finishing fourth to the top pick and could take a step forward. (2) Rose E Holiday won by 14 last time and cannot be ignored. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-4.

4th race – (7) Dontmesswithtess won her last and can serve up an encore win off the Maker claim. (9) Silver Magnatized ships in from Woodbine and will be dangerous on her best try. (6) Rosie’s Halo has won two of her three last starts and enters in great form. (2) Crystal Coast tired in a stakes but fits better here. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-6-7-9.

6th race – (6) Soupersiverdollar was second in his last two starts and seems set for a winning effort today. (9) Gustavor tired late and finished sixth. Could be tougher off the Maker claim. (10) Social Sidekick could respond to a drop into a claimer. (7) My Favorite Topic lost by a length last time and should be a top contender. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 6-7-9-10.

8th race – (4) Java Buzz has a strong burst of early speed and may not look back in this field. (9) Freedom Matters drops in class and looks like the one to fear. (2) Over the Channel may perk up on turf. (1) Timmy M. could be a factor while breaking from the rail and adding blinkers. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-4-9.