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.

2nd race – (1)  Rule Seventy Six might benefit from his debut and respond with a big effort here. (3) Sardis likes to finish in the money but is 0-for-11 in the win spot. (4) Kavanaugh may improve on turf. (6) Ambition was hurt by a wide trip last time. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-4-6.

5th race – (5) Backtrtack (D) dropped from 7-2 to 5-2 and faded badly at a mile. Should like this shorter distance. (3) Lambo looks like the one to catch. (8) Honest Al should be in the picture in this group. (4) Thirty Two Chunk comes off a big win at Santa Anita and cannot be overlooked. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-5-8.

7th race – (3) Thorpedo Anna is training sharply after a stunning defeat and should resume her winning ways. (4) Gin Gin figures to be the main rival. (1) Royal Spa is in great form at the moment. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-4.

11th race – (2) Mindframe comes off a sharp Grade 1 win and gets the call in the Stephen Foster. (4) Sierra Leone looks like the main competition with a BC Classic win on his resume. (5) Mystik Dan is rounding back into top form and cannot be ignored. (6) Hit Show merits major consideration off a Dubai World Cup win. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4-5-6. Doubles: 2-4-5-6 with 1-3-5-8.

12th race – (1) Reagan’s Wit exits a stakes win at Pimlico and looks best here. (3) Tiztastic may wake up back on turf. (8) Freedom’s Not Free is a threat to lead throughout. (5) Minaret Station will be in the mix despite not racing since October. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-5-8.