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.

5^th race [Md 40000, 6F TURF] – (8) Liana B made her last two starts on the Tapeta at Gulfstream Park and set a fast pace both times. John Kimmel is a good turf trainer especially in sprints. (2) Yukon and (2B) Sharp Pippa are a Todd Pletcher entry of first-time starters. Pletcher has good numbers with his horses that debut in maiden claimers. (3) Rum Runner Ready has three starts at Turfway Park on the Tapeta and a good start last year on the turf where she set the pace. (9) Tap It Up made two turf starts last year at Aqueduct in maiden special weights and the blinkers go.

6^th race [OC 80k/N3X, 1 mi] – (2) Market Alert (C) was claimed two races back out of a win for $62,500 and stepped up an allowance notch where he pressed the pace and finished third after getting bet from 9-1 to 7-1. (3) Stage Raider returns from a long layoff after winning a second-level allowance at Saratoga for Chad Brown. (6) Curlin’s Wisdom had two strong allowance finishes and then stepped up to an open company stakes race on a muddy track which can get a line through it. (5) Unbridled Bomber got a freshening after facing a tough field in the Queens County. Before that he won two allowances in a row at the Big A.

8^th race [Alw 82000 N1X, 6F TURF] – (5) Lady Milagro (B) set the pace in her recent start and finished second behind a heavy favorite and beat the rest of the field soundly. (6) Gal in a Rush will make his 2023 debut for the Clement barn after being stakes placed three times last year in turf sprints including the Matron (G3). (3) Hey There ran well on the grass last year with a third at Saratoga. She broke her maiden at Turfway in Janaury for Brad Cox. (4) Anna Karenine made her American debut in a Grade 3 at Gulfstream for Chad Brown after a racing in France with a couple of starts at Deauville including a Group 2.

9^th race [NY, Md 25000, 6F] – (1) Bustinroxy set the pace and finished second in just her third career start. Often these bottom level maiden claimers are loaded with horses that had too many starts. (10) My Malibu Honey moved to the barn of Bruce Levine after a turf start in a maiden special weight at Gulfstream. (9) Georgie’s Ladies was fourth behind the top choice in her improved second start after a long layoff. (2) Tumbles will make her debut for a low-profile trainer that has a longshot debut winner in the past.

Best bets: Liana B (5^th); Bustinroxy (9^th). Best value: Market Alert (6^th); Lady Milagro (8^th).