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.

4^th race – (8) Vixen was a competitive sixth in the Breeders’ Cup and gets the nod here. (2) Correto could be tough to catch here. (1) Fixin to Bee should pose a late threat. (4) La Gioconda could like turf. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-4-8.

7th race – (1) River Thames (A) was an impressive debut winner and should handle winners here. (5) Tux exits a stakes and looks like the main rival. (7) Rolando has speed and will be dangerous here. (2) Conquering Cat will be helped by a rail trip. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-5-7.

9th race – (6) Gunmetal was an impressive debut winner at Fair Grounds and gets the call here. (7) Grayscale has been working sharply since a debut win. (2) Donut God is 2-for-2 and cannot be ignored. (5) Gate to Wire is worth a look on dirt. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-5-6-7. Doubles: 2-5-6-7 with 2-3-7-8.

10th race – (7) Coco Cool gets back on turf and should prove best. (8) Mi Bago has enough speed to overcome the outside post. (2) Charlie’s to Blame fits nicely here. (3) Maui Strong can make her presence felt in the stretch. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-7-8.

12th race - (2) The Queens M G  finds a spot where she can start her 3-year-old campaign with a win. (7) Eclatant was third in a Grade 2 stakes and looms the main rival. (9) Rojo Rita was easy maiden winner cannot be ignored. (11) Stunner has speed and could be a main factor despite the post. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-7-9-11.