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 and finished 1st through 3rd
*D: Went down 2 or more betting notches and finished 4^th or worst
* - 4 or more betting notches if 11-1 or more.

1^st race – (6) Gethsemane turned in a nice maiden win and seems to be on the upswing. Gets the call here. (5) Quality Mischief has been racing in graded stakes and gets some class relief in this field. (2) Thailand has speed and could be tough to catch in a small field.

2^nd race – (4) Deep Flame was a distant second in his debut but can get the win here. (8) Accost has not raced since August at Saratoga but seems primed for a solid try. (1) Buntus Foclora fits better here than in a stakes. (7) Gilded Bandit may appreciate the added distance.

3^rd race - (4) Sippin Pretty looked good in a maiden win at Gulfstream and can handle this field. (6) Smell the Lillies has been away since June but has some interesting works. (5) Gena B ships in from Aqueduct off a sharp win. (2) Our Two Girls could be a late factor.

4^th race – (2) Honfleur rallied fast but settled for second in her first try on turf and can make amends here. (3) Paseo was a troubled second last time and is the one to fear. (4) Call on Me was third in her debut and should be a factor once again. (8) Rune has early speed that could come in handy in this field.

5^th race – (10) Praetor was a game second to Grande and looks best here. (12) U Devil You is usually in the mix. (2) Gate to Wire has graded stakes experience but has not raced since July. (5) Flying Liam cannot be ignored here.

6th race – (3) Shoot It True has not raced since finishing in a stakes back in October but is working forwardly for Ward. (8) Hey Bertie missed by a nose and is the one to fear. (4) Serving Time will benefit from a fast pace. (1) Rosato may be helped by a rail trip.

7^th race  - Commonwealth Stakes (G3) - (7) – Saudi Crown shortens up to 7 furlongs but has a big class edge. (2) Crazy Mason should be well suited by the 7 furlong distance.  (5) National Identity has four straight wins and can stay on the winning track. (1) Be You has enough late kick to be in the mix.

8^th race – Appalachian Stakes Presented by Japan Racing Association (G2) - (9) Sister Troienne won five straight before missing by a head last time. Returns to winning form here. (8) Lion Lake beat the favorite last time and will be the main threat. (10) Imaginationthelady has been absent since the Breeders’ Cup but cannot be overlooked. (5) Kokomotion was third in a graded stakes and fits here.

9^th race – Resolute Racing Madison Stakes (G1) - (5) Grand Job won impressively in a Gulfstream stakes and is working nicely since then. (6) R Disaster should control the pace but the seven furlongs is a question mark. (8) Mystic Lake has won 6 of 7 and cannot be ignored. (2) Sterling Silver is worth a look in this spot.

10^th race – Valvoline Global Shakertown Stakes - (8) Litigation is in career best form and can notch a third straight win. (10) Rezasrolex was second to the top pick and is a gem of consistency. (12) Usually Wrong will have to do everything right to offset the outside post. (4) Yellow Card is an interesting Santa Anita shipper.

11^th race – Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) - (6) Further Ado was a game and determined second in his 3-year-old debut. Gets his needed Kentucky Derby points here. (2) Class President won the Rebel and seems second-best here. (3) Great White could be a factor if he transfers his form to dirt. (9) Ottinho had no chance against a runaway winner. Should be more competitive here.