By Matt Shifman and Bob Ehalt

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 worse
* - 4 or more betting notches if 11-1 or more.

3^rd race [NY, Seek the Ante, 6F] – (3) Iron Orchard was a geared down debut winner at Saratoga during the Stars and Stripes Festival by more than five-lengths as the odds-on favorite. (6) Grazie won her first start at the Spa three weeks ago by more than four-lengths for Repole Stable and Todd Pletcher on a muddy and sealed track at 5-2. (5) Shakti was a clear winner of her first start last month at 6-1. (1) Angel Gift is another Repole/Pletcher first out winner but she won an auction-restricted maiden with the special condition for NY-breds. She then tried the Adirondack (G3) three weeks ago but had a stumble start and then got banged around.

4^th race [Clm 12500, 1 mi] – (4) Bold Endeavor finished second after a drop in class and was claimed for $12,500 three weeks ago. (7) Quick Hammer returns from an April layoff when he was racing in starter allowances with a win in a $15,000 condition. (1) Peek was claimed for $12,500 in July when third and came back to run third again but in a $20,000 race. (2) Best Bet has lots of early speed and used it to finish second at this level in May. He was outclassed in his last two races.

5^th race [Clm 17500 N2L, 6F] – (6) Sittin Chilly won a $30,000 maiden claimer at first asking and then was third for $17,500 and got taken in the Belmont at Saratoga meeting. (2) Tarpaulin was a six-length winner of a maiden claimer in his debut, tried two allowances, and was third and got claimed for $17,500 by Linda Rice. (9) Zakat tried the turf in his debut but then won a $30,000 maiden claimer last month. (1A) Western Wolf drops to the lowest level of his career as a horse that broke his maiden for $50,000.

7^th race [Clm 25000, 1 1/8 mi] – (5) Manta Rey (B) was fractious at the gate, got off to a slow start, made the lead, and finished second beaten by less than a length. (1) Margin of Air won a $25,000 claimer last time and was claimed back. (8) Laughing Boy was claimed last race for $32,000 by Linda Rice at Churchill Downs and drops him in looking to get a quick victory. (6) Styner was first or second in his last three races at Saratoga and Finger Lakes.

Best bets: Iron Orchard (3^rd); Bold Endeavor (4^th). Best value: Sittin Chilly (5^th); Manta Rey (7^th).