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 Sp Wt, 7F] – (3) Froutien (A) had trouble at the start of his first race at Saratoga for Todd Pletcher, rushed up, and finished third at odds of 2-1. (4) The Obliterator improved to finish second in his second start behind a horse that came back to win his next race. (2) Royal Riddle will make his debut for a trainer that does well with his NY-breds. (1) Top Player made his first start at Saratoga just two weeks ago at 5-1.

2^nd race [Alw 50000s, 6F] – (3) Trust Issues (A) rallied for second behind a front-end winner on a speed favoring track. (4) Three B’s was claimed from his last two starts and was just claimed back by Linda Rice following a victory for $32,000. (1) Social Hour got first-time Lasix and ran off to a nearly nine length win at Monmouth Park for a $40,000 tag as an odds-on favorite. (6) Tizmarkus had the lead and finished second last month at Saratoga and was claimed for $30,000.

5^th race [Clm 17500 N2L, 1 mi] – (3) Gotta Guy (A) got pinched back to ninth and last at the start, had to race seven wide, and finished second at 5-1. (7) Via Della Spiga drops down in class and gets blinkers on after two starts on the turf. He was a first out winner racing on the dirt. (4) Doomed will make his first start on the dirt after four tries on the grass against better horses for Brad Cox. (8) True Connection pressed the pace, got the lead, faded to fourth, and was claimed as the 2-1 favorite last time.

7^th race [Md Sp Wt, 1 1/16 mi TURF] – (7) British Invasion (A) got to the lead in his first start at Saratoga and finished second behind a Chad Brown firster. (2) Boss Henry (B) got bumped three times at the start of his debut to be last, was under restraint in the early going, and raced wide for third. (12) Noble Dynasty (A) was second in his debut for Bill Mott at 7-2 behind a talented Clement runner and was well clear of the rest of the field. Mott runners usually step forward in their second race. (3) Geostoblame will make his first start for Todd Pletcher as a $350,000 yearling sale that was far above the stallion fee of $25,000.

Best bets: Froutien (1^st); Trust Issues (2^nd). Best Value:  Gotta Guy (5^th); British Invasion (7^th).

Saturday Pick 3 Special --
Saturday Special $1 Pick 3 covers races 1-3 à 3, 4 with 1, 3, 4, 6 with 1, 3, 5, 7 = $32.