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 – (7) Batten Down (A) missed by a neck and seems ready for a maiden win. (6) Eusebius was second in his first try around two turns and adds blinkers. (8) Banned for Life was third in his debut and should welcome the stretchout. (3) El Magnifico usually brings home a check. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-6-7-8.

6th race – The Commonwealth Stakes (G3) - (3) Manny Wah ships in after two seconds in Aqueduct stakes and looks best here. (2) Wico should appreciate the return to dirt. (9) Minnesota Ready comes off a powerful win in the slop. (4) Raise Cain has plenty of class and should be a factor. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-4-9. Doubles: 2-3-4-9 with 1-5-9-10. Pick 3: 2-3-4-9 with 1-5-9-10 with 2-6-7-8.

7th race – The Appalachian Stakes (G2) - (10) Pounce won with a strong, wide rally. Can post a third straight win here. (5) Kairyu is an intriguing foreign shipper. (9) Buchu seems ready for a solid 2024 debut. (1) Poolside With Slim will benefit from a rail trip. Betting strategy: 10 to win, place.  Exacta box: 1-5-9-10. Doubles: 1-5-9-10 with 2-6-7-8. Pick 3: 1-5-9-10 with 2-6-7-8 with 3-4-6-12.

8th race – The Madison Stakes (G1) - (2) Red Carpet Ready was a sharp Grade 3 winner off a long layoff and will be hard to handle here. (8) Vahva closed 2023 in sharp fashion but hasn’t raced in more than five months. (7) Big Pond fits nicely here. (6) Alva Starr could be hard to catch with a race under her belt. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place.  Exacta box: 2-6-7-8. Doubles: 2-6-7-8 with 3-4-6-12.

9th race – The Shakertown Stakes (G2) - (3) Mischief Magic is a European shipper who should be formidable here. (6) Arzak will benefit from a fast pace. (4) Beer Can Man figures to be a stretch threat in this field. (12) Yes I Am Free has the outside post and could be tough to catch on the front end. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-6-12.