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 – (6)  Bessamay missed by a neck in his first turf start in October and can make amends here. (12) Up for an Oscar looks tough on paper but has a tough post. (11) Highlands Way is another contender burdened with a bad post. (4) Mortal Lock should be closing nicely at the end. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-6-11-12.

3^rd race – (3) Awesome Campaign  is overdue for a maiden win and should get one here with a switch to Irad. (2) Starship Polaris might wake up with a class drop and surface switch. (7) Riddle Me Khozy could be a threat in her debut. (1) Sister Marjorie may enjoy a switch to dirt.  Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-3-7. Doubles: 1-2-3-7 with 1-2-4.

4th race – (1) Pop Rox has the rail and seeks a third straight win. Gets the call. (4) Carroll’s Honor was third behind the top pick and may be the main threat. (2) Slew Diva figures to be in the mix here. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-4.

7th race – (3) Tappan Street makes his first start since winning the Florida Derby and should handle this field. (5) Solo Venturi seems second-best here. (7) Speak Easy could be a threat on his best effort. (4) Flying Liam could hang around until the end. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-5-7.

9th race – (3) Fazzone should benefit from a big class drop. (5) Hotter Than Dem is back on turf and looms the main threat. (8) Complexed may enjoy a switch to turf. (2) David Pepperman can add some spice to the mix. Betting strategy: 3  to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-5-8.