By Matt Shifman and Bob Ehalt

Hot List Key:
 A: A preferred horse to watch                         B: Secondary horse to watch
*C: Went down 2 or more betting notches 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.

4^th race [NY, Md Sp Wt, 1 1/16 mi TURF] – (8) Laurel Valley (B) was taken up after running up on the heels of a horse in front and finished fourth. (5) Slapintheface made his 2023 debut at the beginning of June when he rallied to finish second beaten by less than a length. (9) Lt. Mitchell looks like he has the most early speed in this field and should get loose on the lead. (6) Tony O had four good performances in similar spots this year where he ran speed figures that top this field.

5^th race [NY, Alw 95000 N1X, 1 mi] – (1) April Antics / (1A) Shigeko make an entry where both horses are win contenders. (6) Red Moon won the first two starts of his career at Turf Paradise and then came to New York to face state-bred competition in an allowance and two stakes races. (5) Saratoga Chrome raced twice at Saratoga this meeting already and closed a lot of ground last time in a sprint that came off the turf. (7) Charge Nurse put together an excellent record at Finger Lakes for Jeremiah Englehart.

6^th race [NY, Md Sp Wt, 7F] – (8) B D Saints (A) had what the official chart described as a “horrific trip” where he clipped heels and steadied among other things just three weeks ago and now changes to the Linda Rice barn and gets Jose Ortiz as a rider change. (3) Mischief Joke was second by a head earlier in the Saratoga meeting and gets an extra furlong with Irad on board. (6) Skyler’s Starship was fourth in his debut at Belmont Park at 5-1 and now gets blinkers on. (2) Benzodini will make his first career start for the Asmussen barn.

10^th race [Md 40000, 5 ½ F TURF] – (9) Cherokee Cottage (B) got loose and ran off during pre-race in her career debut at Saratoga for Bill Mott. (8) Negra Gata was second in a maiden special weight at Laurel Park less than three weeks ago for Michael Trombetta and drops in for a tag for the first time. (12) Shesasmalltowngirlwas third in an allowance at Ellis Park last month when she pressed the pace. (5) Love Miami Love has three seconds in a row in maiden claimers for Saffie Joseph Jr.

Best bets: Entry (5^th); B D Saints (6^th). Best value: Laurel Valley (4^th); Cherokee Cottage (9^th).