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 worst
* - 4 or more betting notches if 11-1 or more.

2^nd race [NY, Md 25000, 1 mi] – (2) Romeo Void (B) got steadied at the eighth pole but kept running to hold third position. (3) Runamor finished first three weeks ago in a similar spot but was disqualified and placed second. (7) Monomoy Beach ran the best race of his career last month when he finished second after a stumble at the start. (4) Revivalism had to check last time but before that he set the pace and finished second in a $40,000 claimer.

3^rd race [NY, Md Sp Wt, 1 1/8 mi] – (3) Dear Chairman gets blinkers on after setting the pace and ending up in second when he did not appreciate urging from the crop. (1) Magni gets first-time Lasix and blinkers come off. His second-place two races back makes him a contender. (6) Asset Management has consistent speed figures that fit well in this field. (5) Miles and Miles was second for a tag in November and comes back with first-time blinkers and Lasix.

6^th race [Clm 50000, 1 mi] – (7) Mandatory (B) returns from a June layoff when he broke slowly uncharacteristically, rushed up, faded, and now drops into a claimer. (2) Runnin’ Ray was a winner for a $40,000 tag two races back in his first start since being claimed from Linda Rice and then tried a second-level allowance. (1A) Magnolia Midnight was an open-length winner three weeks ago in a $40,000 race with a career best speed figure. (3) Margin of Air was claimed in December by Linda Rice with a record of 13: 5-5-2 in 2024.

7^th race [OC45k/N1X, 1 mi] – (3) Rising Inflation returns from a June layoff when she broke her maiden by more than four lengths going nine furlongs. (1A) Golden Degree drops into a claimer for the first time since Linda Rice took her for $30,000 and since then she won two allowances. (6) Next on Stage won a starter allowance last time. (7) Bells Beach has a second and a fourth since returning from a four-month layoff for Chad Brown.

Best bets: Dear Chairman (3^rd); Rising Inflation (7^th). Best value: Romeo Void (2^nd); Mandatory (6^th).