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 [Md 40000, 7F] – (3) Dolce Sera was second in a maiden special weight two races back at the seven-furlong distance and now drops into this maiden claimer. (2) Balentina is projected to be on the lead, gets blinkers on for the first time, and tries the claiming ranks in her third start. (7) Herecomes Scarlett tried the turf last time, did not run well, and returns to the main track where she was second at this level. (1) Nobleandgreenough will make her debut for the hot barn of Rob Atras who is winning at a 29% clip this year.

2^nd race [NY, OC 45k/N2X, 6F TURF] – (3) Moonage Daydream broke her maiden last year against NY-breds, won an open company stakes, and debuted this year in a Grade 3 at Gulfstream Park. She will get first-time Lasix in this return to state-bred racing. (2) Derrynane was stakes-placed several times last year and now makes her first start of the year. (6) Road to Remember lost by a head at this level in November and now makes her 2023 debut. (4) Shinfull has been racing during the winter and gets back to her preferred surface on the grass.

3^rd race [OC50k/SAL50k, 7F] – (3) Maggie T won at this level going a mile in her first start after getting claimed by Linda Rice. (6) Attached was last seen in September winning a $40,000 maiden claimer in the first start of her career. (2) Blowthruyelowlites ships up from Laurel Park after winning a $20,000 open claimer. Trainer Brittany Russell does well in New York and now that the Maryland track is temporarily closed, she may send horses to Aqueduct more often. (5) Aeron Warrior broke his maiden for a $40,000 tag by more than 10 lengths.

4^th race [Clm 30000 N2L, 1 1/6 mi TURF] – (4) Smokin’ Hot Kitty broke her maiden on the turf last year at Saratoga for a $40,000 tag and then was second in a spot similar to this race. After two allowance efforts she drops back down. (3) Snow Loves a Fight missed a win by a neck in her first start of the year at Gulfstream for $20,000. (6) Always Laughing was second by a nose in her only turf race and since then has three excellent performances on the Tapeta at Turfway Park. (5) Anileate broke her maiden for $40,000 at Laurel last fall and moves back to the grass.

Best bets: Moonage Daydream (2^nd); Smokin Hot Kitty (4^th). Best value: Dolce Sera (1^st); Maggie T (3^rd).