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.

5^th race – The Commonwealth Stakes (G3) - (7) Run Classic was a good third against a solid field in the Mineshaft Stakes and should respond to a cutback in distance. (2) Nakatomi was hurt by a wide trip when closing for third and should get a better trip here. (8) Pro Oxidant seems ready for the jump into stakes company. (1) Hoist the Gold should rebound back in a sprint. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-7-8. Doubles: 1-2-7-8 with 3-4-5-6. Pick 3: 1-2-7-8 with 3-4-5-6 with 2-3-5.

6th race – The Appalachian Stakes Presented by Japan Racing Association (G2) - (3) Cairo Consort (A) had to rally wide when closing fast for third last time. Resumes her winning ways here. (4) Heavenly Sunday rallied wide to finish third behind the top pick in January and could pose the biggest threat. (6) Be Your Best has not raced since the Breeders’ Cup but seems ready for her comeback. (5) Alpha Bella is in great form and cannot be ignored. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-5-6. Doubles: 3-4-5-6 with 2-3-5. Pick 3: 3-4-5-6 with 2-3-5 with 3-4-8-12.

7th race – The Madison Stakes (G1) - (2) Goodnight Olive was the champion female sprinter last year and should kick off 2023 with a win. (3) Society is also training impressively for her seasonal debut. (5) Maryquitecontrary could work out a good trip here. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-5. Doubles: 2-3-5 with 3-4-8-12.

8th race – The Shakertown Stakes (G2) - (8) Caravel beat the guys in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint over this course and can kick off a new year and do likewise here. (12) Arrest Me Red could be the main competition if ready for a top effort. (3) Artemus Citylimits has plenty of speed and could hang around until the end. (4) Bakers Boy is worth a close look while switching from synthetics to turf. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-8-12.

10th race – (1) Squire Creek was a sparkling debut winner at Fair Grounds and gets top billing here. (4) Blue Light won his debut at Fair Grounds and looks like the main foe. (7) Libertango has been working sharply over the track and merits some attention. (2) Gilcrease was second in his first try against winners and should be a main contender. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place.  Exacta box: 1-2-4-7.