Churchill Downs Hotlist - June 17

Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List races to watch
Thursday, June 17, 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 – (3) Why Behave is a firster from Calhoun who is working nicely and seems ready for a big effort in her debut. (5) Brimage is another making her debut who should be a contender. (6) Jamaican Traffic may hang on for a share of the purse. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-5-6. Doubles: 3-5-6 with 3-4-5.

2nd race – (4) Cinnabunny has been competitive in graded stakes action and should prove best in this field. (3) Rising Seas has sharp speed and figures to be the main threat. (5) Ain’t No Elmers will be part of the early pace and might hang around until the end. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-5.

4th race – (1) Flat Lucky (C) was bet down from 1-2 to 1-5 and won comfortably. Can make it three straight wins here. (3) Oro de Tejana returns to a claimer and merits attention. (8) Stay Home fits in well with this bunch. (7) Rock On Kitten moves up off a claim and is worth a look. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-7-8.

6th race – (5) Born Great has been away for five months but has enough back class to handle this group. (6) Chimney Rock was second in the Breeders’ Cup at two and may be rounding into a good form. (4) Angaston might be dangerous despite a lengthy layoff. (2) Royal Daaher could work out a good trip here. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 5-6. Exactas: 5-6 over 2-4 and 2-4 over 5-6. Doubles: 2-4-5-6 over 1-2-3-7.

7th race – (7) Spun Easy was claimed by Diodoro off a second-place finish and seems to have found a winning spot. (3) Matt’s Honey was a distant second last time and should be a major force here. (2) Champagne Affair has enough speed to make her presence felt. (1) It’s Cold in Dehere has a nice closing kick and should be aided by a ground-saving trip. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-7. Exactas: 3-7 over 1-2 and 1-2 over 3-7.