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.

4^th race [NY, OC 45k/N2X, 6F TURF] – (4) Nina Kay (C) was bet down from 7-1 to 9-2 when she made a late wide move to finish third at this level. She has two wet track victories in her record. (3) Highway Harmony won her last three starts with front-end efforts including last month after returning to AQU from Florida and changes barns to Amelia Green. (2) Lil’ Regard came back from a July layoff to finish third and was claimed for $45,000. (6) Just Add Water also comae back from a winter layoff and finished fourth for the Preakness winning connections.

5^th race [Md 20000, 7F] – (3) Kef ran the best race of her career when she rallied for second beaten by just a nose. (7) Kay Road was fourth last month after a short layoff and drops to her lowest level with blinkers off. (2) My Devine One was third three weeks ago at this claiming price. (6) Defining Role will drop down after making her first two starts on the turf with blinkers on.

6^th race [NY, Alw 40000s, 1 mi] – (2) Our Preferred Pal got her maiden win in a special weight going seven furlongs. (7) Scarlet’s Dream was a winner last month for a $30,000 tag while racing on the lead and returns to state-bred racing after nine starts against open company. (6) Timia has five top three finishes in a row in these NY-bred starter allowances. (3) Lady Wisdom won a $20,000 claimer two weeks ago with a pace-pressing trip.

8^th race [OC 80k/N2X, 6F TURF] – (4) Mentee (B) got blocked and had to steady but still had a strong finish to get third in his second start after a long layoff. (5) Apollo Ten is a past stake winner while sprinting on the turf. (2) Final Verdict came back from a winter layoff to get second in a similar spot and now has hit the board 7 out of his last 8 starts. (7) Antisocial was third last summer in the Secretariat (G2) at Colonial Downs and will run his first race of 2026.

Best bets: Our Preferred Pal (6^th); Mentee (8^th). Best Value: Nina Kay (4^th); Kef (5^th).