Churchill Downs Hotlist - June 25

Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List races to watch
Friday, June 25, 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 – (12) Amazing Rocket gets a cutback to six furlongs and a drop into a claimer. That should be enough to catapult him into the winner’s circle. (10) Brew Crew is 0-for-9 versus MSW company but can break his maiden here. (5) Buffalo Shuffle won last time and was disqualified. Can prevail here. (4) Wild for Wycliff should be a factor while running in a claimer for the first time. Betting strategy: 12 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-5-10-12. Doubles: 1-3-6-8 with 1-2-7-8.

3rd race – (9) Perfect Sense takes a steep drop in class and should prevail here. (2) Lautrec also drops to a level where he should be effective. (6) Bold Minister didn’t fire last time but fits better here. (4) Released was second at this level last time and will be a contender today. Betting strategy: 9 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4-6-9. Doubles: 2-4-6-9 with 3-4-6-9.

4th race – (9) Gimmick (D) was bet down from even money to 1-2 but never fired. Deserves a second chance here. (6) Trade Secret tired and finished third in her debut, but she should benefit from that experience and prevail here. (3) Redrightreturning seems ready for a big effort in her debut. (4) Eclipsed was a distant second in her debut and cannot be ignored here. Betting strategy: 9 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-6-9.

7th race – (4) Forever Boss runs for a claiming tag after finishing fourth in a stakes and has a class edge here. (3) Sundial was a solid maiden winner and should be competitive here with winners. (6) Sweet Pearl looked good in winning at Gulfstream and cannot be overlooked. (5) Misty Veil is worth a close look off the Amoss claim. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-5-6.

9th race – (8) Answer In broke poorly last time and wound up fifth. Seems poised for a better showing here. (3) Restoring Hope switches barn and his working sharply for this start. (2) Shoplifted should turn in a better effort against this field. (6) Scilly Cay ships in after a game second at Belmont and can make his presence felt here. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-6-8.