Churchill Downs FULLCARD Hotlist - August 13, 2022

Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List fullcard selections
Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022
Arlington Million 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) Kentucky Reign registered a nice effort in her debut, showing speed and finishing second. Adds blinkers and may not look back today. (7) Always Smiling is working quickly for her debut and should be considered a threat. (9) Baby Got Backspin settled for second in her debut and cannot be overlooked. (3) Conversational may benefit from the experience in her debut.

2^nd race – (4) Calm Inspiration makes her career debut for Pletcher and looks best here. (9) Texas Lucky may have better luck on a dry track. (2) Scarlet Stripe may roll in her career debut. (3) Romance Novel fits in nicely here.

3^rd race - (4) Gulfstream Way has a nice turn of speed and could be tough to catch here. (3) Tepeu was an easy maiden winner and should be a main contender. (7) Jelly Nougat might appreciate the stretchout to two turns. (8) Legionnaire comes off a nice maiden win.

4^th race – (10) Moody has put in some nice works for her debut and gets the nod in this field. (7) Key of Life was third in her debut and could move forward here. (6) Black Forest was second in both starts and belongs in the exotics. (1) Zeitlos could benefit from a rail trip.

5^th race – The Beverly D. Stakes, G1- (2) Family Way has been no worse than second in her last four trips and rates a narrow edge in a small field. (4) Rougir seems capable of a better effort in this field. (5) Lily Pond is a foreign invader who should not be discounted.

6th race – (10) Stormin Army was a promising second in his debut and can graduate in this field. (7) Tshiebwe seems poised for a good performance at first asking. (9) American Dollars is another first who deserves attention. (3) Confidence Game has some experience that could pay off here.

7th race –  (2) Sconsin is in great form and merits top billing here. (1) Bell’s the One rarely turns in a bad effort and is the one to fear. (3) Joyful Cadence may hang around for a share of the purse.

8th race – (7) Order of Merit showed quickness in a gate work for this and seems poised for a strong effort. (8) Engrave was second in his last two starts and can complete the exacta again. The (1) entry of Scratchoff and Appeal Denied should be a factor in this group. (3) Vinco could be a factor in the final furlong.

9^th race – (5) Jennings look good winning his last start and can make it two in a row here. (1) Scarlet Fusion might wake up in this field. (2) Eleven Central won on the front end last time and may not look back. (8) Business Model had a good comeback race and merits a close look.

10^th race – (3) Mr. Wireless turned in a strong, stakes-winning effort last time and should prevail over this field. (5) Twilight Blue missed by a nose last time and is the main threat. (2) King Fury should get some welcomed class relief here. (7) Keystone Field seems capable of an improved effort today.

11^th race – The Arlington Million, G1 - (2) Sacred Life posted a breakthrough win last time and should be well-suited by the conditions. (4) Smooth Like Strait is ultra-consistent and is definitely the one to fear most. (1) Set Piece was hurt by a bad start last time and can bounce back with a better try here. (6) Santin won a Grade 1 over this course two starts ago and cannot be ignored.