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 – (3) Bostontonian comes off a NY state-bred stakes win and seems set for another victory. (5) Gardiner posted a maiden claiming win last time and should be competitive here. (7) Dbook should like the added ground. (1) Blake James won despite some traffic problems and fits here. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-5-7.  

3rd race – (3) Wailua (B) had a rough trip and still closed nicely for fourth. Makes amends here. (5) Lil Gin N Class was second in her last two starts and can make it a trio. (1) High Fashion Kate has speed from the rail and could be tough to catch. (7) Opposite the Crowd should be a threat in the final furlong. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-5-7.

5th race – (3) Uncle Jim seems set for a strong effort in his career debut for Cox. (2) Successful Union rallied belatedly in his debut and will like the added distance. (6) King of Ashes appears set for a nice try. (11) Cocktailsnkringle has some late kick and cannot be ignored. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place.  Exacta box: 2-3-6-11.

7th race – (2) Peignoir has speed and an inside post and could work out a good trip. (1) Chilled will benefit from a rail trip. (9) Union Mist needed 10 tries to break his maiden but cannot be ignored here. (8) Foreseen can bounce back with a better try here. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-8-9. Doubles: 1-2-8-9 with 2-3-4-11.

8^th race – (4) Saffron Moon was a distant second last time but looks best here. (11) Aussie Girl didn’t fire in her US debut in a graded stakes. Merits a second chance here. (3) Mohawk Trail should be closing quickly at the end. (2) Heavenly Appointed needed her last start and can move forward here. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-4-11.