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 [OC62k/N2X, 1 1/8 mi] – (5) Magical Ways (D) was bet down from 7-1 to 5-1 and finished fourth in a large field that was quite strong. (1) Masmak was second in a top-level allowance last month and drops back to the N2X allowance. That was after two wins in a row going from a maiden to the first allowance. (4) Peek was an allowance winner in his second start after Linda Rice claimed him at Keeneland in October. (3) Summer Cause raced the nine-furlongs in his two most recent starts.

4^th race [Clm 16000 N2L, 6F] – (6) Mackville comes back from a June layoff, changes to the Linda Rice barn, makes a big drop in class. (1) Big Rich was third at today’s level in December and he then tried for a $25,000 claiming tag. (4) Ride Up came back from a 13 month layoff and ran third after pressing the pace. He hit the board in 8 of his 11 career starts. (3) Majestic Arc set the pace last time and ended up second.

6^th race [Clm 25000 N2L, 6F] – (2) My Vanilla (D) was bet down from 5-1 to be the 3-1 favorite and she pressed the pace to finish fourth. (5) Gaga’s Hamsome broke her maiden for a $50,000 tag, then tried a starter allowance, and now drops into a winning spot. (4) Carol Said No was third at this level after winning a $30,000 maiden claimer. (3) Perfect Finish was a debut winner three weeks ago for a $20,000 tag at 9-2.

7^th race [Md Sp Wt, 6 ½ F] – (1) One Nine Hundred (A) broke a step slow, was taken up, got to the lead, and finished third in a blanket finish. (5) Colloquial (A/C) was 4-1 in his debut which was back in June and closed fast to lose a head bob to a full brother of Fierceness. He will get first-time Lasix. (6) Grand Commander pressed the pace and battled gamely throughout the race to just miss the win by a nose in his debut at 4-1 for a low-profile trainer who does not usually win with first-time starters. (2) Fanatical ran third throughout his debut race at Fair Grounds at 7-2 behind a horse that has been mentioned on Ky. Derby contender lists.

Best bets: Magical Ways (2^nd); Mackville (4^th). Best value: My Vanilla (6^th); One Nine Hundred (7^th).