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.

5^th race [Clm 16000, 1 1/16 mi] – (3) Expensive Cut (B) was eager and full of run but had to check repeatedly, finished fourth, and was claimed. (1) Apalta was claimed for $16,000 after a third at Saratoga and was a winner for $20,000 in May. (2) Tizmarkus has been racing in a series of starter allowances and hit the board four times. (9) Pineapple Man was claimed from a win for $16,000 two weeks ago and came right back seven days ago in a $45,000 claimer.

6^th race [NY, Md Sp Wt, 6 ½ F] – (9) Borago (B) was last in a field of 10 and rallied to get third in his debut at 12-1. (11) Tinian moved to the turf for his second start and showed some early speed to finish third. Blinkers go on. (7) Pyralis also showed a bit of early speed in his first race and stayed close throughout a turf sprint. (8) Businessisbusiness is a home-bred making his debut for a trainer who is good with firsters.

7^th race [Md 75000C, 1 1/16 mi TURF] – (9) All Show has a second and a third in her first two races which were auction price restricted. (1) Illustrating was fourth in her career start at Kentucky Downs at 5-1. (4) Luna Dancer was third in a maiden claimer at Horseshoe Indianapolis and changes barns to a New York trainer. (8) Flag Is Up makes her first start for a Fair Hills based trainer who has a very high win percentage with debut runners.

9^th race [NY, Md 50000, 6F TURF] – (4) Midtown Mischief (B) had a trouble-filled race where she stumbled at the break back to last, had to steady behind traffic, and just missed by a neck. (2) Ticket to Ride was second in her last two races at this level. (6) Midnight Blue has been off since May when she was second in a race that was meant for the grass. (3) Luckbeourlady had the lead in a turf sprint at Saratoga in August that had very fast fractions and she faded down the stretch. Blinkers come off.

Best bets: All Show (7^th); Midtown Mischief (9^th). Best value: Expensive Cat (5^th); Borago (6^th).