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) Racing Star returns to Tapeta and seems set for a better effort. (2) Zaino was third at this level last time and should be more of a threat today. (5) Make the Bed is an interesting first-time starter. (7) Praiseworthy could sneak into the picture. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-5-7. Doubles: 1-2-5-7 with 2-3-4-7.

2nd race – (2) Riverwalk gets a positive rider switch to Alvarado and should wake up in a claimer. (7) Air Invasion tackles claimers and looms the main threat. (3) Ciao Chuck could be a factor in his career debut. (4) Sweet Travels can be a late threat in this field. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-4-7.

5th race – (1) Unlimitedpotential (C) was bet down from 6-5 to 4-5 and was second after a 16-month layoff. Takes a step forward here. (8) Big Night Out returns from a layoff with blinkers and is one to watch. (3) Schiehallion could be a factor in his initial start. (5) Ajaayb has speed and may hang around until the end. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-5-8.

7th race – (1) Evidencias has been no worse than third in her last three efforts and gets the nod here. (5) Steel Racer had some trouble last time and deserves a second chance here. (6) Miss Ucrania steps up off a win and merits some attention. (7) Sense You Left could be hard to catch in this field. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-5-6-7. Doubles: 1-5-6-7 with 1-4-6-7.

8th race – (1) Souper Crunchy (B) comes off a pair of seconds and is overdue for a win. (6) Foxtrot Harry was second in his debut and is the one to fear. (7) Halon has a nice late kick and cannot be ignored. (4) Never Say Never might appreciate a shorter distance. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-6-7.