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 – (1) Phantom Blue was a good third in her debut and should graduate here. (5) Mass returns to dirt and adds blinkers. Could be a contender. (7) Episist was second last time but that was on a wet track. (6) Soaring High didn’t fire in her debut last fall. May rebound here.

2^nd race – (9) Five a Side gets back on dirt and should respond with a big effort. (3) Chopsticks was a stakes winner at 2 and is working forwardly for her return. (6) Anna’s Promise can make her presence felt in this field. (7) Sudden Switch fits in nicely here.

3^rd race - (2) Measure ended 2025 with a maiden win and can resume her winning ways today. (10) Star Actress was third in the Grade 1 Ashland and should be the main rival. (5) Joyful Justice has been working bullets for her two-turn debut. (11) Feisty Red Head could be a factor in the late stages.

4^th race – (1) Hedge Book returns to turf and should work out a winning trip from the rail. (11) Tammy’s Kiss could be a threat in her first start. (6) Passerine is an intriguing first-time starter. (13) Tramutana could improve with Lasix.

5^th race – (4) Powell River was second in his debut and looks best here. (11) Royal Guard was bumped in his turf debut and should fare better here. (6) Executive has late speed and might threaten in the final furlong. (8) War and Majesty was an improved second last time.

6th race – (12) French Blue has been racing in graded stakes in California for Baffert and gets some class relief. (6) Carmel Coast tired in a Grade 1 stakes at a mile and should enjoy the cutback. (11) Our Two Girls can bounce back with a better try. (1) Where Luck Lives will benefit from a rail trip.

7^th race  - The Unbridled Sydney Stakes (G2) - (6) – Shisospicy makes her first start since a Breeders’ Cup win and should keep rolling here. (5) Queen Maxima ships in from California and is the one to fear. (7) Haulin Ice should appreciate a return to a turf sprint. (8) Moon Spun has sharp early speed and can hang around until the end,

8^th race – The Eight Belles Stakes (G2) - (7) Luv Your Neighbor has been racing against the top 3-year-old fillies. Should be helped by a return to a sprint. (9) On Time Gal was an impressive winner the last time she raced in a graded sprint stakes. (8) Goodall faces graded stakes company for the first time after a blazing win. (4) Paradise should be more effective at a one-turn distance.

9^th race – The Alysheba Stakes (G2) - (7) Skippylongstocking is in superb form off Pegasus and Essex wins and looks best in a stellar field. (2) Baeza was a Grade 1 winner last year and should be formidable in his 2026 debut. (3) Grande seems primed for a big effort after two Gulfstream wins. (4) Tappan Street should bounce back after a poor showing in the Pegasus.

10^th race – The Modesty Stakes (G3) - (6) Gezora won the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf and should shine in her first start for Brown. (2) Proctor Street is highly consistent and worth a long look. (3) Whiskey Decision missed by a nose last time and belongs in the exotics. (5) Kathynmarissa merits consideration in this field.

11^th race – The La Troienne Stakes (G1) - (9) Fully Subscribed won her last two starts and seems on edge for a big try here. (1) Bless the Broken was second in the Grade 1 Beholder Mile and tops the competition. (5) Shred the Gnar had a rough trip last time and can make amends here. (2) Scalable should get an excellent trip.

12^th race – The Edgewood Stakes (G2) - (3) Imaginationthelady came flying home last time and should relish the added distance. (1) Storm’s Wake may benefit from a rail trip (5) Just Aloof can move forward off a solid try last time. (6) Tam Tam  is unbeaten on turf and cannot be discounted.

13th race – The Kentucky Oaks (G1) - (10) Prom Queen turned in a strong effort to win the Gulfstream Park Oaks and seems to be rounding into peak form at an opportune time. (2) Zany had a useful try on a wet track in the Grade 1 Ashland. Should be the main rival. (9) Always a Runner is unbeaten in two starts and has a bright future ahead of her. (11) Percy’s Bar has a lot of talent and looms a main player.