Churchill Downs Hotlist - June 19

Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List races to watch
Saturday, June 19, 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) Full Charge was a game second last time and should benefit from a slower pace at this distance. (1) Chrome Republic might wake up while switching to dirt. (2) Reserve should also be better suited by running over the main track. (5) Vail of Honor may appreciate the added distance. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4. Exactas: 1-4 over 2-5 and 2-5 over 1-4.

3rd race – (5) Be Like Water (B) was a strong second last time and will be well-suited by the cutback to a sprint. (3) Bahia Girl might appreciate a switch to turf. (10) Sweet Bay has been absent for about a year-and-a-half but seems ready for a solid effort. (8) Stone Town gets back on turf and appears due for a good effort. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-5-8-10.                                                         .

6th race – (1) Big Blue missed by a nose last time and seems poised for a winning effort. (7) Midnight Jostar could be a threat in his first race for D’Amato. (10) Exult has a nice late kick and will be a main factor in the final furlong. (6) Chantry Flats has some speed and could be tough to collar in this spot. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-6-7-10. Doubles: 1-6-7-10 with 1-4-5-7.

7th race – (1) Vulcan exits some sharp efforts in stakes company and looks best in this spot. (7) Cazadero was second in her last two starts and could be the main threat once again. (6) Joe Frazier was overmatched in a graded stakes but belongs here. (4) Sittin On Go should enjoy the class relief after racing in a string of stakes. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-7. Exactas: 1-7 over 4-6 and 4-6 over 1-7.

10th race – (5) Sconsin (C) dropped from 8-5 to 6-5 and won decisively in a strong field. Can make it two in a row here. (4) Bell’s the One likes this track and should be the main rival. (3) Four Graces looks like the one they’ll need to catch in the stretch. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-5.