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 [OC 16k/SAL 10k, 7F] – (1) Coquito was a winner at this level by almost 10 lengths two weeks ago. (6) Despo’s Dream runs for the $16,000 option which is a large drop in class for the mare whose last win was for a $40,000 tag at Saratoga. (5) Jackie the Joker had a victory for $10,000 in February and last month set the pace in a $16,000 race. (4) Curlin’s Magic was claimed away from Linda Rice for $10,000 when she finished second as an odds-on favorite.

3^rd race [OC 55k/N1X, 1 3/8 mi TURF] – (2) Bettrluckythangood returns from an August layoff when he was second in a NY-bred stakes at Saratoga. (6) Mutaawid drops in for the claiming option for the first time in more than a year and was a winner in a similar spot in November. (5) I Am I Said will make his American debut with a pair of victories last year at Newmarket in England. (3) Miztertonic comes back from a winter break and was fourth in a similar spot last year against NY-breds.

4^th race [NY, OC 45k/N2X, 7F] – (2) Khali Magic (B) lost a stretch battle after having the lead when the rider dropped his crop and finished third. (4) Howling Wind (D) was bet down heavily from 11-1 to 9-2 and raced wide to be fourth. (6) Helen’s Revenge won her last two starts in an open-company starter allowance and then in a NY-bred first-level allowance by six lengths. (7) Tough Street returns from a long layoff after Saratoga last year and changes trainers.

5^th race [Md Sp Wt, 6 ½ F] – (7) White Smoke Rising (B) missed the win by a neck in January in his debut behind a horse that came back to win again. (1) Onepac (A) returned from a nine-month layoff to finish third in his second career start. (4) Disparate Impact will make his first start as one that sold for $300,000 with a stallion who has a $15,000 stud fee. (6) If Ever make his first start as one that was touted as a 2-year-old at Saratoga from West Point Thoroughbreds.

Best bets: Coquito (1^st); White Smoke Rising (5^th). Best Value: Bettrluckythangood (3^rd); Khali Magic (4^th).