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.

7^th race [Jockey Club Oaks (G3), 1 3/8 mi TURF] – (1) Scythian (A) makes a big step up in class after having to check during a NY-bred allowance where she finished third. (7) Laurelin had her undefeated run of five races come to an end in the Queen Elizabeth II (G1) at Keeneland last month when the eventual winner was the first to move in the stretch. (5) Evershed was second in her only two stakes races recently and has the look of a filly that could take a step forward at attractive odds. (4) Fionn is the only Grade 1 winner in this field with $1.8 million in earnings. At her best she is a win contender although her last race is a concern.

8^th race [NY, Alw 81000 N1X, 6 ½ F] – (2) Long Pour broke his maiden and then was second in a pair of NY-bred allowances since moving to the barn of Steve Asmussen. (4) Three B’s won a starter allowance two weeks ago against open company. (6) Empire Sky moved back to the dirt with a win in a starter allowance at Parx and then a third in today’s type of race. (7) Skytown returns from a March layoff as a new gelding with four top three finishes from five career starts.

9^th race [Knickerbocker, 1 1/8 mi TURF] – (7) Air Recruit won the Oceanport at Monmouth Park in August and then did not appreciate Kentucky Downs. (3) Trikari won three graded stakes as a 3-year-old in 2024 and has a pair of thirds in his last two races. (4) Ohana Honor has also faced better competition and is graded stakes placed. (6) Signator was claimed from West Point Thoroughbreds for $100,000 in September at Kentucky Downs and gets blinkers on for the new connections.

10^th race [Md Sp Wt, 1 1/16 mi TURF] – (12) Isadora Duncan (A) hit the gate and broke poorly then made a late run moving to the inside and then outside to eventually finish second at 3-1. (8) Siouxse stretched out to a mile at Laurel Park last month and was second in a field of 10 for Graham Motion. (1) Mis Brunellas changed to the Bill Mott barn for her second start and was third again. (9) Delightful Darling was second or third in all four starts which were in turf sprints where a few horses came back to win their next starts.

Best bets: Long Pour (8^th); Air Recruit (9^th). Best Value:  Scythian (7^th); Isadora Duncan (10^th).

Saturday Pick 3 Special --
Saturday Special $1 Pick 3 covers races 7-9 and includes the Jockey Club Oaks (G3) and the Knickerbocker à 1, 4, 5, 7 with 2, 4 with 3, 4, 7 = $18.