Churchill Downs Hotlist - June 22

Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List races to watch
Wednesday, June 22, 2022

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 –  The (1) entry of Red Queen and Hashtag Winner should produce the winner of this race, regardless if one or both run. (5) Nana’s Gray comes off a nice win and is worth a close look. (3) Mohaylady will be a contender back in a claimer. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-5.

4th race – (3) Stellar Tap has not done much since he made Asmussen the all-time winningest trainer last year but should perk up in a claimer. (2) Buckingham Prince should also welcome the class relief in a claimer. (1) Fireman Dan might relish a cutback to a sprint. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-3. Doubles: 1-2-3 with 1-4-5-7.

5th race – (5) Carillo takes a big class drop and should prove best in this spot. (4) Loving Lucky drops to a level where he could be hard to catch. (7) Guard might wake up in a claimer. (1) American Smooth is another class dropper who merits consideration. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-5. Exactas: 4-5 over 1-7 and 1-7 over 4-5.

8th race – (4) Quick Return could be tough to handle in his first start for Diodoro. (5) Lost in Limbo should be more competitive in a claimer. (6) Samurai Prince has keen early speed and figures to be a major threat. (3) Digital fits in nicely with this group. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-5. Exactas: 4-5 over 3-6 and 3-6 over 4-5. Doubles: 3-4-5-6 with 1-5-6-8.

9th race – (5) Rolling Fork (B) has turned in two good efforts and seems primed for another here. (8) Wild Behavior finished in a dead-heat with the top pick and should be the main threat. (6) The Queens Jules could be a factor on his best try. (1) Don’t Forget cannot be overlooked in this spot. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-5-6-8.