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.

2nd race – (8) Tee Burns (A) won despite a bumpy and wide trip last time and can prevail off the Hartman claim for a fourth straight win. (5) The Distractor was an even fourth last time but can move forward here. (7) Blue Kentucky won at this level and deserves attention. (4) Franz Josef could be tough to catch here. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-5-7-8. Doubles: 4-5-7-8 with 1-3-7-8.

3rd race – (1) East Shore drops into a claimer and should respond with a winning effort. (7) Windy Bay looks like the main rival. (8) I Feel the Need will welcome a return to dirt. (3) Steel Racer should be effective at this level. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-7-8.

5th race – (11) Air of Defiance was a distant second to a runaway winner in his debut and should graduate here. (9) It’smyluckytime is an interesting first-time starter from Pletcher. (7) So Smooth is another firster with excellent credentials. (4) Popweiser could be poised for a big effort in his debut. Betting strategy: 11 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-7-9-11.

7th race – (5) Hola Gata was a sharp maiden winner at Kentucky Downs and can make it two in a row. (1) Empirical View captured his first start on grass and can be a handful here from the rail. (3) Tituba returns to a more logical distance here. (7) Holy Foley will be a serious stretch threat. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place.  Exacta box: 1-3-5-7. Doubles: 1-3-5-7 with 4-6-8-11.

8th race – (4) Finish the Mission debuts for Amoss and seems best in this field. (11) Karlwithanarl put in a bullet work for his debut and should be a main threat. (8) Sterling Honor fits in nicely with this group. (6) Catalina Crush has put in two useful efforts and will benefit from the experience. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-6-8-11.