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 – (8) Haskelled comes off a sharp maiden win and can make it two in a row. (4) Major Contender takes a class drop and might wake up here. (6) Big Boss Ben had some trouble last time and can be more of a factor here. (1) Color Field should benefit from a rail trip. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-6-8.

4th race – (7) Noises Off has raced well enough on Tapeta to be a force here. (1) Gold Franc can move forward off a mediocre debut. (4) Six Missions should be a factor in the late stages. (9) Fireball Fun is worth a look in his debut. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-7-9.

6th race – (11) Absolute Courage has keen early speed and may not look back here. (8) Dual Monarchy could wake up back on turf. (7) Coach Petro is worth a look off the claim. (3) Schmear fits in nicely here. Betting strategy: 11 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-7-8-11.

8th race – (5) Really Good had some trouble in his 2023 debut and can move forward here. (4) Salute the Stars seems poised for a strong showing in his debut for Cox. (7) Santorini was third in a stakes and merits respect. (10) Tiger Paw could last for a big share of the purse. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 5-6-7-10.

10th race – (1) Trumptastic (A) missed by a neck in his first try at two turns and should make amends for that setback here. (3) Zaphod can be a force in his debut. (4) Gilded Craken should appreciate the added distance. (2) Moreau may contend in his first try around two turns. Betting strategy: 1  to win, place.  Exacta box: 1-2-3-4.