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) Badge of War ships in sharp from Laurel and gets the nod here. (3) Tarantino could wind up being the star here. (4) Hurry Hurry can be a threat at this level. (7) Carlo Rapido may be a factor in the final furlong. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-4-7.

3rd race – (7) Red Raze might thrive in a claimer and seems best. (5) Gus’s Gal was second at this level and should be the main rival. (6) Shining Silver may perk up on dirt. (10) Mo Town Renee  could respond to a return to dirt. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 5-6-7-10.

5th race - (7) Final Story was a sharp second in his debut and gets a maiden win here. (10) Radar Lock can take a step forward after breaking slow and finishing sixth in his first start. (2) Cierto is an interesting firster. (4) Mouqeer may hang around until the end. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4-7-10.

8th race – (4) Schwarzenegger has strong early speed and may not look back here. (6) Sandal’s Song showed talent last year and may be the main rival. (10) Throckmorton won his lone turf race and cannot be overlooked. (11) Intricate Spirit should benefit from his 2026 debut. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-6-10-11. Doubles: 4-6-10-11 with 3-6-8-11.

9^th race – (11) Asheville is working in solid fashion and can win at first asking. (8) Bod Beach has been second six times and seems a nice fit for the exacta. (3) Quarry may like the distance. (6) Tilt a Twirl shows a bullet work for his debut.  Betting strategy: 11 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-6-8-11.