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, 1 mi] – (3) Fever Night was claimed for $50,000 from a maiden win in May at Churchill Downs by Linda Rice, ran in two races that were too hard, and drops into a winning spot after a short layoff. (2) Neon Bordeaux was claimed for $40,000 in March and like the top choice was in too tough twice and comes back after an April layoff for a trainer that is doing well back at Aqueduct. (4) Derek’s Law was claimed in Kentucky in June for $40,000 by Rice. (5) Cocktailsnkringle broke her maiden for $20,000 last month and was taken from Steve Asmussen by Horacio De Paz.

3^rd race [NY, Md 30000, 6 ½ F] – (1) Ob La Di Ob La Da set the pace in his debut after a slow break at 4-1 against open company at Monmouth Park and was fourth. (6) Army Proud had a third and a second at this level during the summer. (5) Ridolfi returned from a third at this level in May to run fifth for $50,000 last month. (2) Dominican Thunder cuts back in distance to sprinting which seems to be his best.

6^th race [Alw 50000s, 6 ½ F] – (5) Uncle Jim (5) steadied back to last of nine at the start and then rallied seven wide to finish third. (6) Trust Issues has three second-place finishes in these starter allowances including last month at Aqueduct. (2) Bear Claw Necklace was third and then second by a neck at Saratoga after running fourth in the Sir Barton on Preakness weekend. (1) Three B’s was claimed back by Linda Rice for $32,000 and then was fourth in a starter allowance.

7^th race [Clm 35000 N2L, 1 1/16 mi TURF] – (8) Temple City Taboo (A) was last seen in July at Saratoga when she had to steady on the turn, moved outside belatedly, finished third, and was a voided $35,000 claim. (6) Authenticate Now was in excellent form this year with a series of starts at Monmouth for a $40,000 tag and comes back from an August layoff for a trainer that strikes with accuracy when he ships to the NYRA tracks. (2) Lotus Petal had the lead last month in a similar spot and finished second beaten by less than a length. (4) Surprenant Cocca drops back in for a tag after four starts in starter allowances.

Best bets: Fever Night (1^st); Ob La Di Ob La Da (3^rd). Best value: Uncle Jim (6^th); Temple City Taboo (7^th).