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

1^st race [Md Sp Wt, 5 ½ F] – (1) Midnight Still made his debut at Churchill Downs in June at 4-1 and ran on to get third with a fast time and speed figure in a field of eight. (2) Decimation opened up a big lead in his first race in Kentucky as the 3-1 favorite, faded down the stretch, and blinkers come off. (5) Harbaugh is a $450,000 Not This Time 2-year-old purchase in April who has been training at Saratoga and was recognized by Mark Casse as a top juvenile in his barn. (2) Motawaali will benefit from experienced gained in his only race for a trainer that does better second time out on the dirt.

9^th race [NY, Alw 105000 N1X, 1 mi] – (2) Tricky Business was a debut winner against NY-breds by more than three lengths at 3-1 and then he tried stakes company in the Pegasus at Monmouth Park where he had a troubled start and was last. Blinkers go on. (4) Toscano won his first race which was at Hawthorne in 2024, then moved to NY-bred allowances. He was claimed twice for $30,000 before settling with Mike Maker in New York. (7) Judge Boushay was a recent winner of a maiden at Saratoga. (5) King Farro was also a maiden winner at the June races at the Spa.

10^th race [Bowling Green (G2), 1 3/8 mi TURF] – (1) Ole Crazy Bone was a great claim for Mike Maker at Churchill for $100,000 who quickly hit the jackpot when he won the rich Turf Cup (G2) at Kentucky Downs in September. He came back in May to run second in front of a horse who won his next start. (4) Fort George is a Group 3 winner at Meydan in Dubai this year. (6) Minaret Station won three races in a row early in his career including the Bourbon (G2). Last seen he was a close second in the Arlington (G3) at Churchill. (5) Carson’s Run is a past Grade 1 winner with plenty of back class.

11^th race 25 10 6 [NY, Md Sp Wt, 1 1/16 mi TURF] – (2) Classic Commander (B) was rank under restraint mid-race and rallied from ninth to second. (5) Karsten was third in his debut just a head behind the top pick last month. (10) Coach Ryan will make his first of the year as a new gelding with first-time Lasix who was second last year with a troubled trip against a large field. (6) Before the Wind had a second-place finish in May.

Best bets: Midnight Still (1^st); Tricky Business (9^th). Best Value: Ole Crazy Bone (10^th); Classic Commander (11^th).

Saturday Pick 3 Special --
Saturday Special $1 Pick 3 covers races 9-11 which includes the Bowling Green (G2) 2, 4 with 1, 4, 5, 6 with 2, 5, 6, 10 = $32.