Churchill Downs FULL OAKS DAY CARD

Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List fullcard selections
Friday, September 4, 2020
Kentucky Oaks Day

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 – (5) Financial One debuts for Chad Brown and finds a modest field she should be able to handle. The (1) entry of Movie Moxy and Sovereign Appeal looks like a main threat after a good second by Movie Moxy at the Keeneland meet. (7) Norma Jean B. rallied for third last time and should be a factor late. (2) Glamour Girl could be a presence from the rail.

2^nd race – (3) Sianara is a firster from Asmussen who seems ready for a big effort today. (2) Malibu Bird has speed and an inside post and should be hard to handle. (5) Rock Star Parking might make some noise in her debut. (10) Aunt Joie may appreciate the switch to the main track.

3^rd race - (6) Resurrection Road won nicely in gate-to-wire fashion at Indiana Grand and can make it two in a row here. (5) Beautiful Trauma hasn’t raced since a huge win in December. She will be a handful if she can duplicate that try. (4) Positive Spirit gets some class relief after flopping in a stakes following a layoff. (1) High Regard likes this track and merits some attention.

4^th race - (6) Ocean Breeze was a distant second to a stakes-bound filly and seems best in this spot. (8) Palomita had a useful start at Saratoga and should be a force here. (7) Goulding took a nice step forward in her 3-year-old debut and will be factor against these. (5) Tipsy Gal may wake up here.

5^th race – (11) Honorifique was a good second in her debut and should appreciate the shorter distance. (8) Travel Column debuts for Cox and could have a promising future. (7) Mejthaam was third in her first start and should get a close look here. (10) Off We Go seems ready for a good showing in her debut.

6^th race – (7) Lasting Legacy missed by a neck at Lone Star and has considerable stakes experience. Can win this with his best try. (5) Honest Mischief has been first or second in his last four races and should be the main rival. (4) Hog Creek Hustle may wake up with a big effort here. (2) Mojo Man may improve while returning to dirt.  

7^th race – (9) Ella Brilla might work out a winning trip in this spot after finishing third in four of her last five starts. (7) I Hear You was a sharp maiden winner and should be respected. (6) Flabbergasted also exits a solid maiden win and figures to be a key contender. (5) Elke Do Jaguarete ships in from Canada off a winning effort and should be closing in the stretch.

8^th race – (5) Sconsin was well-beaten by Mundaye Call last time but she should get a favorable pace scenario here. (7) Four Graces has plenty of speed and seems like the one to fear. (1) Mundaye Call has the rail and could be tough to reel in if the pace works out right. (6) Perfect Happiness steps up off a big allowance win and will be tested for class.

9^th race – (3) Sharing was a very competitive second at Royal Ascot and should return to her winning ways back in the U.S.A. (2) Hendy Woods has won three of four starts with the loss happening after a rough trip in a Churchill Downs stakes. If someone can upset the top choice, it’s her. (8) Walk in Marrakesh comes in off a tough loss by a nose and will be in the picture once again. (7) Mariafoot might flash some improvement in her second U.S. start.

10^th race – (2) McKinzie won this race last spring and can notch back-to-back wins for Baffert. (6) By My Standards was second against top-caliber rivals in his last two starts and can complete the exacta once again. (5) Mr. Freeze didn’t fire in the Met Mile but should prefer two turns. (3) Owendale disappointed last time but can bounce back with a big effort here.

11^th race – (8) Monomoy Girl has been patiently handled and will be hard to beat over a track where she won the BC Distaff and Kentucky Oaks. (2) Vexatious is in career-best form and will be the main threat. (6) She’s a Julie won this race last year and cannot be ignored. (1) Horologist does her best running at Monmouth Park but can sneak into contention here.

12^th race – The Kentucky Oaks - (5) Gamine is coming off two monster wins in Grade 1 stakes. They were at one turn, at shorter distances but she’s more than good enough to stretch out an extra furlong and still reach the wire first. (4) Speech was only a neck behind Gamine in May and will benefit if there’s a brutal pace. (1) Swiss Skydiver will be battling with Gamine in the early stages and that may come back to haunt her. (7) Shedaresthedevil might sneak into the superfecta.

13^th race – (14) Chief Cicatriz drew a rough post but showed some promise in his turf debut and is an interesting possibility here. (10) Carotari won in solid fashion at Ellis Park and seems poised for a big effort. (1) Diamond Oops might appreciate a switch back to turf. (4) Bound for Nowhere has a nice turn of speed and looks like the one they will have to catch in the final furlong.