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 30000, 6 ½ F] – (4) Let’s Get Weird returns from a September layoff and drops down a claiming notch after pressing the pace in three starts. (1) Liberty Rising was second and third in his last two starts at this level. (6) Killybegs Kid returns from a year layoff as a new gelding and drops down in class. (3) Chilly Cheesesteak makes his debut for a trainer who has good stats with first time starters.

3^rd race [Clm 10000, 1 mi] – (4) Bold Endeavor won at Parx just three weeks ago at this level. (7) Suerte makes a significant drop in class after showing early speed. Blinkers come off. (1) Because the Night comes back in two weeks and moves down in class. (5) Six Kings finished in the top three in his last two starts at Finger Lakes after pressing the pace.

5^th race [Moc 75000C, 6F] – (8) Waitin’onasunnyday returns as a new gelding after setting the pace in a similar spot in September. (6) Sixer will make his second start after getting bumped at the break and having to get taken up. (7) Game for It makes the first start of his career with two fast workouts showing at Belmont Park. (4) Final Joke debuts for a trainer that has been winning with first time runners and won both of his starts at the winter meeting thus far.

9^th race [Clm 17500 N2L, 6F] – (10) Wajda made his first start following a six-month layoff, set the pace, and finished second at 7-2. (2) Cousin Ed moves from turf to dirt where he won the only race of his career for a $50,000 tag and makes a big drop in class. (5) Leading Role was a maiden winner for $20,000 and last time out just two weeks ago was third at this level. (6) Shoot the Nickel finished third last time for a $50,000 tag after racing against better horses throughout his career.

Best bets: Let’s Get Weird (1^st); Bold Endeavor (3^rd). Best value: Waitin’onasunnyday (5^th); Wajda (9^th ).