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 [Clm 30000 N2L, 6F] – (5) Derek’s Law (C) came back from a four-month layoff, was bet down from 4-1 to 2-1, and finished third in a blanket finish. (6) Tapwrits Temper had the lead and finished second last month at this level. (7) Spirit Dragon was a winner of a $35,000 maiden claimer in June in his second start. (1) Shadow Surge was a front-end winner of a $20,000 maiden three weeks ago and got claimed following a year and a half layoff.

3^rd race [Moc 75000C, 6 ½ F] – (3) Wit Storm (A) was third in his debut at 7-1 for a trainer that does not win with first-time starters. (7) Life Is Gravy broke slowly in his debut but then made up a lot of ground. (2) Mystic Isle has been working steadily since July for his first race for a barn that is doing well in New York. (6) Where’s Your Boom makes his first start for a young trainer who is good with 2-year-olds.

5^th race [Moc 75000C, 6F TURF] – (11) Copper Caduceus (C) was bet down from 16-1 to 12-1 and finished second in his debut well clear of the rest of the large field. (5) South Philly Slide was clear of the rest in his second-place finish in his first start on the grass. (10) Bashful Baby broke slowly again and rallied from last in a field of 10 to miss by a neck. (9) Medium Cool was second every step of the way in his first start at Monmouth Park in August.

7^th race [NY, Alw 81000 N1X, 1 1/16 mi TURF] – (1) Amplitude (C) was bet down from 8-1 to 6-1, finished third in a large field, and gets blinkers on. (8) El de Larry exits a pair of second-place finishes at this level and is a career seven-time winner. (4) Annexperience set the pace last time and ended up with a place finish. (7) Charles J has a pair of recent thirds against a few of the horses in this race.

Best bets: Derek’s Law (1^st); Wit Storm (3^rd). Best Value:  Copper Caduceus (5^th); Amplitude (7^th).

Saturday Pick 3 Special --
Saturday Special $1 Pick 3 covers races 1-3 à 1, 2, 5, 6, 7 with 4, 6, 7 with 3, 7 = $30.