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 [Md Sp Wt, 1 mi] – (5) Missing Brian (B) had a good late move to finish fourth in a race that was meant for the turf. Blinkers go on. (3) Courting sold for $5 million as a yearling and is a full-brother to Grade 1 winner and earner of $3.2 million Clairiere. (7) Rebel Instinct sold for $700,000 and is a half-brother to the two-time champion and Grade 1 winner Unique Bella. (8) Dionysus was a $1.2 million yearling purchase and will also be making his first start.

7^th race [NY, Md Sp Wt, 1 1/16 mi TURF] – (8) Livin the Breeze (A) was hard to load in her first start and then was keen early. After she settled down, she was able to get to the lead and ended up third a half-length back. (9) Cosmic Candy Girl was second in both of her starts and had some trouble each time. Last month she moved from a muddy and sealed track to the turf and missed by a nose when she had to steady briefly. (10) Considerate City debuted two weeks ago and finished second. (12) Mia Sophia made a big improvement when she moved from dirt to turf at Saratoga.

9^th race [Vosburgh (G3), 7F] – (1) Scotland made a seven wide late rally to finish second in the Forego (G1) behind Book’em Danno going the seven furlongs. (9) Crazy Mason was third in that Forego and was the winner of the Carter (G2) at Aqueduct in the spring. (8) Patriot Spirit was a stakes winner at Colonial Downs in July going today’s distance. (6) Baby Yoda was claimed for $100,000 from a win in an optional claimer at Saratoga and has 11 victories in his career.

12^th race [NY, Md Sp Wt, 6F] – (1) Hot Currency (A) finished second in her debut from the outside in August as a Main Track Only entry for Linda Rice. (11) Absolute Smoke pressed the pace and finished fourth at 5-2 in her first start. Blinkers go on. (5) Letmecounttheways is working smartly for her first start. (3) Morning Prayer shows a promising work tab and was a $150,000 purchase in May and is by a $7,500 stallion.

Best bets: Livin the Breeze (7^th); Scotland (9^th). Best Value:  Missing Brian (1^st); Hot Currency (12^th).

Saturday Pick 3 Special --
Saturday Special $1 Pick 3 covers races 7-9 and includes the Gallant Bloom (G2) and the Vosburgh (G3) à 8, 9, 10 with 1, 2, 4 with 1, 8, 9 = $27.