Churchill Downs Hotlist - June 24

Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List races to watch
Friday, June 24, 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.

2nd race –  (6) One Full Moon returns to dirt and adds blinkers. Should respond with a winning effort. (4) Moudari might be better suited on dirt. (2) Lady Mercedes should be effective at this level. (3) Mejthaam has a nice late kick and will be a threat here. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-6. Exactas: 4-6 over 2-3 and 2-3 over 4-6. Doubles: 2-3-4-6 with 3-4-5-8.

3rd race – (3) Scenic View is working well for her comeback against lesser company and gets top billing here. (4) Ipsum Gratus fits in well with this group. (5) Earley Rose should be part of the early pace and may hang on for a share. (8) Beach Kitten is worth a look after a nice win at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-5-8.

5th race – (6) Cherished didn’t fire in her first start for Asmussen but can rebound with a better try here. (2) Girls a Bullet is in good form and should not be ignored. (3) Off We Go might appreciate a turnback to a dirt sprint. (1) Tuckyourtaleandrun might be effective in this spot. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-6. Exactas: 2-6 over 1-3 and 1-3 over 2-6.

7th race – (7) Pioneering Spirit (B) missed by a head last time and should make amends in this spot. (6) Speed Bias was disqualified from a win last time and looks like the one to fear here. (4) Scotland Yard was a game third last time and belongs in the exotics. (3) Bourbon On Fire could benefit from a turf to dirt switch. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 6-7. Exactas: 6-7 over 3-4 and 3-4 over 6-7. Doubles: 3-4-6-7 with 4-5-7-8.

8th race – (4) Picasso had a rough trip when third and could work out a better journey here. (7) Protonic Power can move forward while turning back to a sprint. (8) Thrive ships in from California and may not look back on the front end. (5) Mahomey merits consideration while stepping up in company. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-5-7-8.