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.

3^rd race [NY, Md 40000, 5 ½ F TURF] – (6) Bustino Santino (C) was bet down from 9-2 to 2-1 in a race that was meant for the grass in his first start of the year and finished second after a wide trip and some trouble at the break. (7) Egyptian Quest was third in his first start of the year at Monmouth Park against open company in a maiden special weight. (8) Irish Tenor will drop into a maiden claimer for the first time. (5) Spoken Bluntly moved from dirt to turf and finished third for hot trainer Bruce Levine.

5^th race [NY, Md Sp Wt, 1 1/16 mi TURF] – (9) Cara’s Dreamweaver (A) ran second in her debut against a strong field and looked like a horse that would do better going long. (1) Slightly Busy was the favorite in her first start where she pressed the pace in a turf sprint. (3) Serious Lady will make her first start for Joe Sharp as a $100,000 purchase from a $5,000 stallion. (5) Marvelous Madison is a first-time starter for Chad Brown that is bred for the turf.

6^th race [R, Md Sp Wt, 5 ½ F TURF] – (8) My Vanilla (B) was squeezed back at the start, rushed up outside, and finished fifth against a strong field. She had the look of a turf horse. (7) Linda’s Jewel is the morning line favorite in this maiden special weight that is restricted by a $50,000 sale price. (10) Mascara is a debut runner on the turf for Wesley Ward who specializes in turf sprinters. (2) Graceful Warrior is also a first-time starter and she shows a few fast workouts.

7^th race [Clm 10000, 7F] – (9) Hatch (B) had an erratic stretch run against a heavy favorite and got claimed after a short layoff. (6) Daddy Knows (C) was bet down from 9-2 to 2-1, had the lead for a $16,000 tag, finished second, and drops down a couple of notches. (5) Ram will make a significant drop down as trainer Norm Casse goes for another Saratoga win. (10) Proven Hope makes a huge drop from top starter allowances in New York.

Best bets: Bustino Santino (3^rd); Hatch (7^th). Best value: Cara’s Dreamweaver (5^th); My Vanilla (6^th).