Churchill Downs Hot List - May 14, 2021

Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List races to watch
Friday, May 14, 2021

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 in the final 3 minutes 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. 

1st race – (4) Bode’s Maker seeks a fourth straight win and merits top billing here. (3) P R Radio Star has some speed and should be a main threat. (5) Super Sol will be dangerous if he duplicates his last effort. (7) Jungle Juice exits a sharp try at Keeneland. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4. Exactas: 3-4 over 5-7 and 5-7 over 3-4.

3rd race – (3) Battle Bing won nicely at Oaklawn and should be hard to handle here. (1) Moon Swag pressed the pace in a grade 1 stakes and looks like the one to fear. (5) Lovely Ride should work out a good trip in this field. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-5.

5th race – (9) Baby Quinn is working sharply for his debut and looks best in this field. (7) Tejano Twist was a game second in his debut and should be the main rival. (3) Heaven Street put in a quick gate work for his debut and cannot be overlooked. (5) La Belleza Negra should benefit from his debut and move forward. Betting strategy: 9 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-5-7-9. Doubles: 3-5-7-9 with 1-2-5.

6th race – (5) Southern District (D) was bet down from 2-1 to 8-5 and never fired, but seems capable of bouncing back here on dirt. (1) Bamalama perked up in a claimer and is worth a look here. (2) Cronus might appreciate a two-turn distance. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-5.

8th race – (8) Valiant Vinny has plenty of speed and might not look back against these. (1) Pretty Boy Elm has been away but might thrive in a claimer. (2) Sir Giannis could prefer a dry track. (3) Edge to Edge is an Oaklawn shipper that’s worth a long look. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-3-8.

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