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.

4^th race [Md 35000, 6 ½ F] – (3) Bakuto drops in for a tag for the first time with a second-place finish showing in March. (8) Mr. Mashigina comes back makes for his second start after a layoff from October as a new gelding with blinkers and first-time Lasix. (6) Just Classic was last seen in the Texas Derby in May of 2025 and changes barns with a fast workout showing. (7) Capt Fluff N Stuff was claimed in June for $55,000 when he pressed the pace to be third and blinkers go on.

5^th race [NY, Md Sp Wt, 5 ½ F TURF] – (8) All Star Leigh (B) rallied from far back along the hedge for second beaten by less than a length for a trainer that does not usually win with first-time starters. (10) Leyton Orient was a $250,000 yearling purchase making her first start for a young, up and coming, trainer. (9) Deuce Dancer was touted by her trainer as one to watch at Saratoga. (1) Fire Angel was in the lead in her debut and had an equipment problem that eliminated her from the race.

7^th race [Md 85000, 6 ½ F] – (7) Lil Tipsy was claimed for $100,000 in May at Churchill Downs by Linda Rice and was last seen running third in a maiden special weight. (5) Rose to Riches will drop in for a tag in her third race and was a fast fourth last month. (2) Pulling Threads was claimed from her last two starts and moves back to dirt for new trainer Joe Sharp. (1) Immaculate Moon will make her 2026 debut while running in a claimer for the first time with Lasix.

9^th race [NY, Alw 105000 N1X, 7F] – (4) Blue Roof Beau (A) was an easy debut winner in a fast time by almost four lengths at 5-2. (6) Max Money was a front-end winner of a high-level starter allowance last month. (8) Empire Sky returns to NY-bred racing where last seen was third in an allowance like this one. (2) Mo for the King has a pair of third-place finishes at Saratoga this summer in this type of race.

Best bets: All Star Leigh (5^th); Lil Tipsy (7^th). Best value: Bakuto (4^th); Blue Roof Beau (9^th).