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 worse
* - 4 or more betting notches if 11-1 or more.

4^th race [Clm 16000 N2L, 6F] – (7) Let Freedom Spring set the pace going a mile last time, got claimed, and now cuts back in distance and is projected to be on the lead again. Two races back he broke his maiden for a $20,000 tag, so $16,000 is the right level. (2) Clash A. J. was second last time for a $30,000 tag and drops to the lowest level of his career. (5) Central Pride will return to the $25,000 N2L condition where last time he was second behind a return winner and got claimed. (6) Ginnsu Warrior tried the turf last time to no avail and moves back to the main track where he was third twice.

6^th race [Clm 25000 N3L, 1 mi] – (1) Liberty Flame was claimed for $25,000 three races back when she won the N2L condition with a convincing front-end effort. After two tries in NY-bred allowances, with a second-place finish last time, she drops back in for a tag. (7) Raffinity has run well in four starts at today’s N3L level. (3) Mursal won the N2L claimer after moving back to the dirt with a strong late rally. (4) April Antics was third in her first try at this level after a victory.

7^th race [Alw 50000s, 1 1/8 mi TURF] – (7) Penner Ash was a debut winner last year in a maiden special weight, moved into allowance races, and last time won for a $50,000 tag and was claimed. Blinkers go on and makes him likely to get loose on the lead. (2) Born a Gambler moves to the barn of Mike Maker who will be the fifth trainer for this gelding that has five place finishes. (5) More Than Work was a winner two races back when he moved to the turf at Aqueduct and was claimed. Last time he was entered for the grass but was moved to the main track in a starter allowance. (9) Blame D Rule Maker broke his maiden at Laurel Park last time.

9^th race [NY, Md 30000, 7F] – (7) Red D G P was second in a $40,000 maiden claimer and then tried a maiden special weight. (3) Mr. Busta has three top three finishes in a row in maiden claimers. (2) Two Chuckles will return from a January layoff when he was second in pair of maiden claimers. (9) Big Boulder debuted in a turf sprint at odds of 5-1 three weeks ago and now gets first-time Lasix.

Best bets: Liberty Flame (6^th); Red D G P (9^th). Best value: Let Freedom Spring (4^th); Penner Ash (7^th).