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.

4^th race [NY, OC 45k/N2X, 1 mi] – (2) Malu returned from a July layoff to win the first level allowance and followed that with a close second after setting the pace. (3) Elliptic won her last three starts with an allowance about three weeks ago. (4) Bustin Bay runs for the claiming option with 13 career victories and $800,000 in earnings. (7) Bernt Again moves from turf to dirt.

5^th race [NY, Md 30000, 7F] – (6) Break the Fall returns from a May layoff and two starts in maiden special weights and drops into this claimer. (1) Solo Flight was third in his first try at this level after having the lead in the stretch. (7) Burn Rubber ran fourth for today’s price as the favorite following a third-place finish. (3) Sicillianaire broke slowly in his debut and rallied from last in a large field.

6^th race [Clm 10000, 6 ½ F] – (6) Air Show (A) dropped down to his lowest level, had to steady behind a fallen horse, and rallied to miss the top spot by a nose. (7) Quick Hammer was last seen in October as the winner of a $16,000 claimer from which he was a voided claim. (3) Honorary Degree was second in a $12,500 race in his first start after getting taken for $10,000. (1) Union Lights was third last time in the aforementioned race and was bothered by the fallen horse.

8^th race [Clm 10000, 1 mi] – (5) Winter’s Ghost (B) was jostled at the quarter pole and got claimed back by Rudy R. (8) Mr. Swagger was a winner last time in a $12,500 race by more than four lengths. (7) Pipes and Drums was claimed for $25,000 in November and drops to the lowest level in two years. (2) Because the Night has been off since October when he raced for $16,000 and was second beaten by only a neck.

Best bets: Malu (4^th); Air Show (6^th). Best value: Break the Fall (5^th); Winter’s Ghost (8^th).