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.

1^st race [NY, Md 40000, 1 mi] – (6) Takahama returns in three weeks after running second in an eight-horse field in a similar spot. (5) Always Honest was third last month for a $50,000 tag and then tried a special weight three weeks ago. (3) Big Brooklyn returned to NY-bred racing and finished third behind the top choice. (1) Vinnie Bankerino got first-time Lasix and finished second in his second start when he also dropped down a bit.

3^rd race [Md 12500, 6F] – (4) Sabby Sunset had three second-place finishes in a row in maiden claimers ranging from $25,000 to $30,000 along with a Finger Lakes maiden special weight. (3) Tahila comes back from an October layoff, moves from turf to dirt for the first time, and drops down. (7) Lady Meringue was third for a $25,000 tag three weeks ago. (2) Lookie Here pressed the pace in a $20,000 race three weeks back.

5^th race [Moc 75000C, 6F] – (5) Carolannie had the lead in a $30,000 claimer, finished second, and then tried a maiden special weight. (1) Call me Jal pressed the pace in her debut and ended up fourth in an Aqueduct maiden special weight last month. (2) Strike a Rose will made her first start for a trainer that is very good with debut runners. (7) Maizey Blue has been training vigorously for her first race for the New York division of the Ken McPeek barn.

6^th race [NY, Alw 35000s, 6F] – (6) Apollo Code was a front-end winner three weeks ago for a $25,000 tag against open company and got claimed. (1) Liberty Rising was a maiden special weight winner two races back after a stalking trip. (5) Brave Buck won 3 times from his last 5 starts for Linda Rice in a $10,000 claimer, a $17,500 N3L race, and a N2L. (2) Smileandsaycheese won a $17,500 N3L claimer by six lengths two starts ago in December and then eight days ago was eased in one of these starter allowances.

Best bets: Sabby Sunset (3^rd); Apollo Code (6^th). Best value:  Takahama (1^st); Carolannie (5^th).