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 [Md 20000, 6F] – (2) Hafu returns from an October layoff, when he was claimed for $30,000 after a third-place in his second start as a new gelding with first-time Lasix. (8) Charlie Charmer made a big improvement in his third start when he had the lead and missed the win by a head. (3) Lough Currane returned from a layoff to hit the board twice earning a career best speed figure. (4) Dixie Hex flashed early speed last month and comes back as a new gelding.

2^nd race [Md 55000, 6F] – (1) Capt Fluff N Stuff debuted last month going a mile on the turf and pressed the pace and now drops into a maiden claimer, and cuts back in distance while going turf to dirt. (3) Swaging was claimed for $50,000 last month after he contested the pace and finished third. (2) Lifes Reward has been away since last summer after three maiden special weight starts at Midwest tracks for Brad Cox. (5) Mr R T tried the grass last time to no avail and goes back to the dirt where he ran second and third.

5^th race [Clm 10000, 7F] – (8) Baby Sassicaia won his last two starts for $20,000 and was claimed for that price in March. (1) Whistler’s Style was a winner at this level last month going a mile. (3) Jackie the Joker was a winner when last seen at this level and since then ran twice in races that were way too tough. (6) My First Love finished second at this level, was claimed last month, and comes back with a significant rider change.

8^th race [OC 80k/C, 1 1/8 mi] – (7) Classicist (A) finished third in his first stakes race after the rider dropped his crop. Blinkers come off after one race. (4) Dreamlike finished in the top three with two wins in his last 10 starts since he was claimed by Linda Rice. (2) Le Gris has past races that are good enough to win in this spot. (1) Waitlist won his last race also for Rice in an April allowance.

Best bets:  Baby Sassicaia (5^th); Classicist (8^th). Best Value: Hafu (1^st); Capt Fluff N Stuff (2^nd).

Saturday Pick 3 Special --
Saturday Special $1 Pick 3 covers races 1-3 - 2, 8 with 1, 2, 3 with 2, 3, 4, 8 = $24.