By Bob Ehalt and Matt Shifman

Hot List Key:

A : A preferred horse to watch                   B: Secondary horse to watch
*C: Went down 2 or more betting notches in the final 3 minutes 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.

1st race – (1)  Commanded drops a notch in claiming price and can work out a win from the rail.  (4) Sabrinba has been absent nearly a year but has some talent. (2) Dark Fury steps up off a game second. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-4.

3rd race – (3) Trouble’s Roaring (C) dropped from 5-2 to 9-5 but settled for third on a wet track. Will be helped by a fast surface. (5) Vex should be a key threat after finishing an improved fourth. (7) Ravens Dream takes a big class drop and cannot be ignored. (4) The Chalk could be primed for a big try. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-5-7.

5^th race – (8) Cat Fast might be tough to catch in a claimer. (7) Mobster has plenty of speed and could last until the end. (3) Sinatra may do it his way in this spot. (9) Lean Music Machine moves up a notch after a third and a claim. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-7-8-9.

7th race – (6) Interlock Empire comes a third and drops to a level where he should prove best. (7) Infinite Luck won by a neck and figures to be the key rival.  (4) Schifty’s Haloid should be closing fast at the end. (5) Our Dream Rye’d could grab a minor share of the purse. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-5-6-7..

9th race – (9) Handsome Herb should get a great stalking trip in this field. (10) Airborne Elite is consistent and should be the main rival. (8) Ruleroftheuniverse deserves a look despite the layoff. (3) Illini steps up off a narrow loss. Betting strategy: 9 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-8-9-10.