Saratoga Hotlist - July 24

Today’s NY Hot List races to watch – Sunday, July 24, 2022 at Saratoga
                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.

2^nd race [Clm 16000 N2L, 1 mi] – (4) Once a Giant will start as a new gelding and drop into a N2L condition for the first time. He broke his maiden for a $40,000 tag and is projected to be on the lead in the early stages. (2) Ampersand will also try a N2L claimer for the first time and shows a past win at the Spa. (1) Icon was claimed for $20,000 from his first start in 18 months when he ran third at Churchill Downs. (7) Amadeus Music moves back to the main track which actually might be his best surface and is where he broke his maiden. He makes a drop down the claiming ladder.

3^rd race [Clm 25000 N2L, 6F] – (4) Doctor Love broke his maiden for $50,000 in the first race of his career in January and then ran in much tougher races where he was competitive. He gets tremendous class relief.  (3) Taco Bean was claimed from a $25,000 spot by Gustavo Rodriguez who takes the blinkers off and that is a 25% winning move. Both parts of the (1) Storm Shooter/(1A) Got the Gold entry for Linda Rice are contenders in this field. (2) Power Agenda broke his maiden at Saratoga in his first start for Todd Pletcher and makes a big class drop.

4^th race [NY, OC 45k/N2X, 5 ½ F TURF] – (6) Phantom Smoke (A) chased a very fast pace in his 2022 debut for Christophe Clement, got the lead, but then weakened to finish second. He should move forward and this distance will be helpful. (2) Swashbuckle has two starts this year at this level with a pair of seconds and improved speed figures. (1) King Angelo was third in his first start of the year at short odds. (7) Battle Station moves back to the barn of Rob Atras and returns to NY-bred competition. He has three past wins at Saratoga.

5^th race [NY, Shuvee (G2), 1 1/8 mi] – (3) Malathaat and (4) Clairiere will meet for the sixth time in their careers with Malathaat holding the upper hand in their rivalry, although Clairiere was the winner of the recent Ogden Phipps (G1) at Belmont. The added distance and two-turn racing may be to the advantage of Malathaat who has two victories going nine-furlongs along with a win at Saratoga. Malathaat is the top choice over Clairiere. (2) Crazy Beautiful is a millionaire with seven wins in her career for Kenny McPeek. (1) Exotic West is in excellent form with a stakes victory at Aqueduct in April.

Best bets:  Phantom Smoke (4^th); Malathaat (5^th). Best value:  Once a Giant (2^nd); Doctor Love (3^rd).