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.

5^th race [Moc 75000C, 1/16 mi TURF] – (10) River Empress (C) was bet down from 5-1 to 3-1 and finished third when she moved from dirt to turf. (8) Princess Celine (C) took late money and her odds dropped from 8-1 to 6-1 in her first start at Saratoga and drops in for the claiming option here. (3) Devilish Grin was second in her first two starts in auction-price restricted maidens and then was third in the P. G. Johnson going long for the first time. (9) Pan Pan was third in her first start on the turf in July at Saratoga against open company.

6^th race [Frizette (G1), 1 mi] – (6) Iron Orchard (A) won both of her starts by about six lengths against NY-breds as the odds-on favorite at Saratoga. (2) Carmel Coast (A) was a fast winner of her only start at 5-1 by more than five-lengths at Saratoga beating a horse that won her next race. (8) Iceceamforevryone (A) overcame a rough start to run second in her first race at 5-1 for Repole and Pletcher. (9) Five Bars (A) went from last to first after having to check badly as a rare first-time winner for trainer Shug McGaughey.

7^th race [Champagne (G1), 1 mi] – (6) It’s Our Time (A) was the most impressive 2-year-old winner at Saratoga this summer when he was geared down and won by almost 18 lengths against a field of nine at 5-1. (1) Curtain Call was second in his debut behind a horse that was a return winner and then won by more than eight lengths. He was third in the Hopeful (G1) a month ago. (5) Just Asap found a soft spot in an Ellis Park optional claiming maiden and won by seven lengths going seven furlongs. He missed by a neck at Monmouth Park in the Sapling which gave him experience going a mile. (8) Napoleon Solo won his Saratoga debut by more than five lengths.

12^th race [Alw 88000 N1X, 1/16 mi TURF] – (11) Peak Hype (A) checked sharply in the first turn, hit the rail, and rallied from last to fourth beaten by less than two lengths. (10) Wrigleyville was second in her last two starts at this level at Saratoga racing as part of the pace. (1) Obeissante was third in allowances at Monmouth and Saratoga recently. (5) Victoriously shipped to Saratoga to win a $100,000 maiden claimer in her only start at the end of August.

Best bets: It’s Our Time (7^th); Peak Hype (12^th). Best Value:  River Empress (5^th); Iron Orchard (6^th).

@NYHotList Saturday Pick 3 Special --
Saturday Special $1 Pick 3 covers races 5-7 and includes the Frizette (G1) and the Champagne (G1) à 3, 8, 10 with 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 with 6 = $18.