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.

1^st race [NY, Md Sp Wt, 6F] – (7) Mischief Joke (C) had three starts and three top three finishes most recently at Belmont Park last month when he was bet down from 8-1 to 5-1 and was second. (4) Aggelos the Great will make the first start of his career for George Weaver. (8) Split Strike set the pace in his debut where he set the pace against the top choice. (2) Eric From Miami had a fast gate workout to prepare for his first start for a trainer that has significant numbers with 2-year-olds.

4^th race [Clm 40000, 6 ½ F] – (9) Quick Munny was claimed for $50,000 by Linda Rice last time at Ellis Park in a race where she set the pace and finished second. Rice is currently winning at 27% with her new claims. (7) I’m Buzzy was a winner in her most recent race at Belmont for $32,000 with a closing move. A fast pace is expected today. (6) Icy Stare Down was claimed for $32,000 last time after stalking the pace, getting the lead, and finishing second by a head. (1) My Sweet Wife returns from a March layoff after two starter allowances at Aqueduct. She was claimed for $45,000 from an optional claiming allowance before that.

8^th race [Clm 50000, 7F] – (2) Midnight Trouble ran in three stakes races last year and was placed at Delaware Park. He made his 2023 debut at Gulfstream Park in an allowance and cuts back from a mile where he pressed the pace and had the lead but finished fourth. (9) Prove Right drops out of three Grade 3 stakes and cuts back in distance also. (5) Dangerous Ride ships up from Monmouth Park and has several stakes starts in his record and an allowance victory. (8) Joking Way was claimed for $50,000 by Linda Rice in Kentucky where he finished second. Rice has done well with these claims from the Bluegrass State.

10^th race [Amsterdam (G2), 6 ½ F] – (1) Drew’s Gold had his four-race undefeated record when he broke last in a 10 horse field, rushed up, and finished second behind Arabian Lion in the Woody Stephens (G1). (5) Ryvit brings a four-race winning streak to Saratoga for Steve Asmussen with three front-end stakes victories at three different tracks. (6) New York Thunder is unbeaten in three starts with a win in the Woodstock at Woodbine and has been off since that April victory. (3) Deer District won an allowance at Churchill Downs for Dale Romans and had top three finishes in his last eight starts.

Best bets: Mischief Joke (1^st); Drew’s Gold (10^th). Best value: Quick Munny (4^th); Midnight Trouble (8^th).