Churchill Downs Hotlist - June 20

 Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List races to watch
Sunday, June 20, 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) Cantrell Hill disappointed last time but was claimed by Diodoro and should turn in a better effort today. (4) Jack Van Berg should be on or near the lead and could be tough to reel in. (7) Thirsty Betrayal takes a big jump in class after being claimed out of a win but might be a factor. (5) Cave Run is in sharp form now and should not be ignored. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4. Exactas: 3-4 over 5-7 and 5-7 over 3-4.

3rd race – (1) Totalizer makes his debut for Asmussen and seems ready for a big effort. Runs in an entry with Chileno who has the outside post. (4) Condemn also appears capable of a good showing in his debut. (2) Buckingham Prince was a useful fifth in his debut and deserves some consideration here. (8) Ottoman Empire has displayed speed in his works and can make his presence felt here. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-4-8.

5th race – (5) Camellia Gal (B) set the pace last time and gamely finished second. Can hold on and earn a victory here. (4) Gold for Kitten has won both career starts and can make it three in a row here. (7) Screenwriter also chases a third straight win and cannot be ignored. (3) Hat Tip should be a threat in the final furlong. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-5-7.

8th race – (3) Silenced showed a nice turn of speed on the front end in longer races. Should relish the shorter distance here. (8) Bama Breeze returns to turf and could be a main factor against these. (7) Own Agenda has not raced since 2019 but could be on edge for a top effort here. (1) Forty Under has enough back class to overcome a lengthy layoff. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-7-8. Doubles: 1-3-7=8 with 1-2-5-10.

9th race – (10) Happymac has a nice turn of early speed and may not look back in this spot. (2) Randello might appreciate the turnback to a sprint. (5) Trashtalkinyankee might hang and claim a big share of the purse. (1) Violent Pass has been away for a year but can contend if there’s no rust due to the layoff. Betting strategy: 10 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-5-10.