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, 7F] – (4) U. S. S. Valor (A) had to steady and then used a big late run to finish third in a strong field of 2-year-olds. (9) Belzoni (A) lost a photo finish for the win in his debut and was well clear of the rest of the field. (6) Gold On Black (C) gets into this race after scratching a few times as a MTO entry. In July he was bet down from 8-1 to 5-1, did not change leads, and finished fourth. (2) Mystrix set the pace in his first race as the 5-2 favorite and dueled for most of the race to miss by a head.

3^rd race [Alw 120000 N1X, 1 1/16 mi TURF] – (4) Highlands Way won his first two races of the year moving from a maiden claimer to a starter allowance and then was second stepping up to today’s level. (7) Favorable Scenario was second twice at Saratoga and gets blinkers on. (2) Funny Factor won the final NY-bred allowance condition three weeks ago. (5) Thirteen Colonies returned to the races to make his first start of the year and has back class.

7^th race [Md Sp Wt, 7F] – (8) Jackpot Rocket (A) was fractious pre-race and then was green during the running to finish third at 8-1. [(4) Mischief Time and (6) Electro are a pair $1.5 million yearling purchases for Todd Pletcher.] (3) True Essence was second in his debut at Ellis Park last month when he rallied late. (5) Pops Novo has been training extensively since being purchased for $1.35 million as a 2-year-old in March.

11^th race [Spinaway (G1), 7F] – (8) Life Changing (A) was an open length winner of his debut last month as the 2-1 favorite. (6) Harper’s Corner won her first two races by a total of 13 lengths including the Schuylerville at Saratoga. (2) Summer Scarlet won her only race by more than six lengths and should get plenty of pace to set up a late move. (4) Stress Relief won her two races by more than eight lengths with the Adirondack (G3) last month.

Best bets: U. S. S. Valor (1^st); Highlands Way (3^rd). Best Value: Jackpot Rocket (7^th); Life Changing (11^th).  

Saturday Pick 3 Special --
Saturday Special $1 Pick 3 covers races 1-3 and includes the With Anticipation (G3) 2, 4, 6, 9, 10 with 3 with 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 = $30.