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.

2^nd race [Clm 17500 N2L, 6 ½ F] – (5) One Vision (B) was steadied after the start putting him last as a horse that usually is forwardly placed and was a front-end maiden winner for a $25,000 tag. (3) Brave Bear drops down to the lowest level of his career going first time in a N2L condition and for his cheapest price. (8) Diabolico broke his maiden for a $20,000 tag after hitting the board in his three prior races. (4) Good Question was a debut winner for $30,000 and came back three weeks later in an unrealistic starter allowance and shows up here in a winning spot.

5^th race [Clm 32000, 6 ½ F] – (3) Burninhunkoflove has two wins and a second in his three starts of 2025 which came after a six-month layoff with two at Fair Grounds and then last time in a starter allowance at Aqueduct. (5) He’smyhoneybadger was claimed for $25,000 from a four-length victory last month. (6) Gun It has a pair of top three finishes at today’s level. (1) Cees Get Degrees was claimed three times from his last four starts and finished with a first and a second.

6^th race [Md 75000, 7F] – (2) Timing Difference (A) had the lead after some early trouble and finished second by less than a length well clear of the others. (5) Gypsy Dreaming drops back into a maiden claimer after three starts that include a second and a third. Last time putting blinkers on did not work and they come back off. (4) Nantz came back from his first start at Saratoga for a $50,000 tag where he finished third and was taken by Linda Rice. (6) The Closer was 8-1 in his debut at Gulfstream Park last month for Bill Mott and drops into a claimer.

7^th race [NY, Alw 81000 N1X, 6F TURF] – (8) Perugia (A) broke last and rushed up on the rail to win by four lengths in a race that was meant for the turf but was run on a fast Aqueduct main track. (1) I’m Kidding was also entered for the grass but broke her maiden on a good, sealed track by more than seven lengths. (4) Turriga got back to the turf in her second start of the year where she had the lead and finished second. (5) Shock broke her maiden by seven lengths on a muddy and sealed track for a $30,000 tag.

Best bets: Timing Difference (6^th); Perugia (7^th). Best Value:  One Vision (2^nd); Burninhunkoflove (5^th).

Saturday Pick 3 Special --
Saturday Special $1 Pick 3 covers races 5-7 à 3, 5 with 2, 4, 5, 6 with 1, 4, 8 = $24.