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 [Md Sp Wt, 6F] – (1) One Nine Hundred (A) was second best in his second start behind a monstrous performance and finished far ahead of the rest of the field. (3) Gypsy Dreaming was second following a three-month layoff in his first start of this year after having the lead in the stretch. (8) Vow of Secrecy made his first start at 8-1 for Linda Rice whose young horses typically improve significantly in their second starts. Blinkers go on. (5) Make Me has steady works in preparation for his first start.

8^th race [NY, Md Sp Wt, 6 ½ F] – (5) Merica’s Back (A) improved in his second start where he had the lead, missed by part of a length, and was well clear of the rest of an 11 horse field. (9) Tiote (C) was bet down from 10-1 to 7-1 in his debut and finished third after bumping in a stretch duel. (1) Motel Patel changes to the barn of Rob Atras after five starts against open company where he hit the board three times and now faces NY-breds for the first time. (3) Undisputed was a highly regarded 2-year-old during the summer who makes his debut now.

10^th race [Alw 16000s, 1 mi] – (7) Sagamore Mischief (B) stumbled at the start, rushed up to the lead, and ended up third. (9) Giroovin won 3 out of his last 4 starts with wins in a pair of higher-level starter allowances and according to conditions finds an easier spot here. (10) Unlimitedpotential won a $50,000 open claimer two weeks ago and fits this condition from a win in a $16,000 claimer at Saratoga. (5) Skylander had three victories in a row to finish 2024 in a similar starter allowance, a first-level allowance, and a $32,000 claimer.

11^th race [NY, Md Sp Wt, 6F] – (9) Turbo Train (B) was second in her first start in a maiden claimer and was well clear of the rest of the field. (11) Julita was third in her debut back in January at 5-1 and gets first-time Lasix. (10) Sunshine Lily made her first start at Tampa Downs and ships up to face state-breds. (14) Forever to Go has four second-place finishes in a row and cuts back to six-furlongs which should help.

Best bets: One Nine Hundred (4^th); Merica’s Back (8^th). Best Value:  Sagamore Mischief (10^th); Turbo Train (11^th).

Saturday Pick 3 Special --
Saturday Special $1 Pick 3 covers races 9-11 à 4 with 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10 with 2, 6, 9, 10, 11, 14 = $36.