Belmont Park Hotlist - June 19

Today’s New York Hot List races to watch – Sunday, June 19, 2022 at Belmont Park
                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 [Md 20000, 7F] – (6) Papi On Ice run second a couple of weeks ago when he dropped down to this level in just his third start. (3) Prince of Fenton set the pace, finished third, and got claimed for $20,000 back in April and returns now for the new trainer. (1) Any Minute was third behind the top choice and gets a rider change to Luis Saez. (4) Alite has 10 top three finishes as he tries to get that elusive maiden victory.

4^th race [NY, NY Stallion Series, 7F TURF] – (8) Surprise Boss (C) was bet down from 7-1 to 4-1, rallied to win his second NY-bred allowance in a row, and will take another try at stakes company. (1) Buckortwo (D) took a ton of late money getting bet from 11-1 to 4-1 but is still a maiden. So, this is a curious spot for veteran trainer Michelle Nevin to try. (2) Dakota Gold won his first two starts including a stake at Monmouth Park before running fifth as the favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1). (5) Marinara Sauced rallied from last to win his debut for Chad Brown last month after racing seven-wide.

5^th race [Clm 30000 N2L, 1 1/16 mi TURF] – (8) Noble Enterprise was second in a long-distance allowance at Keeneland and now drops into the N2L condition. (2) Clara Belle will make her first appearance in this condition after running third in a $40,000 open claimer. (1) Masabeeh broke her maiden for a $40,000 tag so this is an appropriate level at which to face winners for the first time. (4) Synonymous also won for $40,000 and then stepped up to a starter allowance where she ran well.

7^th race [NY, OC 45k/N2X, 1 1/8 mi TURF] – (8) Ruse (C) has a pair of seconds at this level, one against open company in Florida and then at Belmont when he was behind a Chad Brown runner. (2) Saratoga Flash was a winner of the first-level allowance in his first start of the year for Barclay Tagg. (10) Chulainn ran well in his first start of the year for Graham Motion after the winter off. He ended last year in the best form of his career. (9) Grape Nuts Warrior makes his first start of the year for Chad Brown. When last seen he won an allowance and he won his maiden at first asking.

Best bets:  Papi On Ice (2^nd); Surprise Boss (4^th). Best value:  Noble Enterprise (5^th); Ruse (7^th).