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 – (11) Way too Early drops into a claimer for the first time and is worth a long look here. (7) Ransom Style drops and adds Irad and looks like the main foe. (8) Mi Corazon is an interesting first-time starter. (3) Cumberand Falls should be effective at this level. Betting strategy: 11 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-7-8-11.

3rd race – (7) Concrete Glory (C) dropped from 6-5 to 4-5 and posted a third straight front-running win. Can make four straight here. (6) Caramel Chip was second to the top pick the last two times and should be the top threat this time as well. (1) Proverb faces tougher company but will be a factor off the Joseph claim. (2) Joe Di Baggio has plenty of experience over this course and cannot be overlooked. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 6-7. Exactas: 6-7 over 1-2 and 1-2 over 6-7.

5th race – (7) Tapple Cider takes enough of a class drop to be the top pick in this field. (3) Snow Loves a Fight has been absent since July but has never races for a claiming tag this low. (6) Sister Nell had some trouble last time and could be more competitive here. (1) Love My Job had a rough trip and can rebound here. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-6-7.

7th race – (5) Le Boiana should perk up back on dirt and looks best here. (7) Forces Sweetheart has early speed and may hang on here. (6) Kikilove could flash some improvement after a wide trip last time. (2) Atthecross disappointed in a stakes but can bounce back here. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-5-6-7. Doubles: 2-5-6-7 with 3-4-6-7.

8th race – (3) Sanura has not raced since last March when he won over the Tapeta course, but Tagg does a good job of having horses ready after lengthy layoffs. (7) Jazzy T usually brings home a check and belongs in the exotics. (6) Lay the Groundwork was dull on turf last time but has won on Tapeta before. (4) Maria’s Revenge may respond to a turf to Tapeta switch. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-7. Exactas: 3-7 over 4-6 and 4-6 over 3-7.