Churchill Downs Hot List - May 15, 2021

Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List races to watch
Saturday, May 15, 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.

2nd race – (2) Mr. Walsh moved over to dirt and responded with a big maiden win. Can do it again here.  (6) Wicked Indeed didn’t care for turf. Fits better here. (3) Fast Bob closed nicely last rime and rates a look here.  Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-6. Doubles: 2-3-6 with 2-4-5-12.

3rd race – (4) Flippant showed promise in her first turf race and rates as the top pick. (5) Speightstown Shirl was second in her first two starts and can make it a hat trick. (12) Evidence Board is an interesting firster for Chad. (2) Prominently might appreciate the added distance. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4-5-12.

5th race – (7) Kaely’s Sister (C) dropped from even money to 1-2 and won easily. Will be hard to beat off a similar try. (1) To a T was second at Gulfstream and should be helped by a rail trip. (2) Caught Looking won for fun in a maiden claimer and will be a threat here. (5) Wild Combo is also worth a look in her first start against winners. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-7. Exactas: 1-7 over 2-5 and 2-5 over 1-7.

8th race – (8) Silver Spur is an intriguing firster from Cox, who can win at first asking. (7) Terawatt might be tougher in his second start. (5) Time Leverage showed sharp speed in his lone race last year and is working quickly for his comeback. (4) Mischievous Rogue might perk up on dirt. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-5-7-8.

11th race – (12) Bakers Boy showed some determination in an allowance race and seems ready to tackle tougher competition. (10) Arklow is a proven Grade 1 winner with plenty of class but may need a start. (11) Ajourneytofreedom should relish the distance. (7) Red Knight figures to benefit from his 2021 debut and can move forward here. Betting strategy: 12 to win, place. Exacta box: 7-10-11-12.

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