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) Speed Skater should perk up on dirt. (8) Buckeye Bombshell may be well-suited by dirt. (6) Nuts and Bolts fits in well here. (4) Knockonwood is worth a look in this field. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-6-8

3rd race – (4) Money Run could be hard to catch in this field. (6) Fountain Run fits better here after tackling allowance runners. (7) Eye Dee Kay will be dangerous on his best try. (3) King of Hollywood should be part of the early pace and could hang around until the end. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-6-7.

5th race – (6) Minotaur had a troubled trip last time and can make amends here. (3) Comprehensive has lost in three straight photo finishes. Could happen again. (5) Bhatia may appreciate a switch to turf. (12) Wrathchild has some ability but landed a tough post. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-5-6-12.

7th race – (6) Arkhipov exits an easy maiden winner and looks best here. (7) Noble Confessor should fare better today after contesting a fast pace. (4) Ciro di Marzio belongs in the exotics. (3) Sicilian Defense is training smarty for his comeback. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-6-7.

9th race – Jenny Wiley Stakes (G1) - (10) Segesta closed out 2025 with a Grade 1 win and can resume her winning ways here. (7) Lush Lips has won three in a row and is the one to fear. (1) Expensive Queen looms a threat from the rail. (3) Medoro may pose a threat in the stretch. Betting strategy: 10 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-7-10.