Churchill Downs Hotlist - June 27

Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List races to watch
Saturday, June 27, 2020

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.

3rd race – (8) Honovi (A) lacked room and still managed to finish a game second. Gets Johnny V. again and should work out a winning trip. (1) Zero Gravity beat the top pick last time and will be the main rival again from the rail. (5) Lusitano looks like the one to catch as he returns to turf. (7) Clint Maroon will be dangerous off his best try. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-5-7-8.

8th race - (6) Cazadero (A) was an impressive debut winner and can handle these with a similar effort. (4) Hyperfocus won with a nice closing kick at Gulfstream Park and should not be ignored. (5) Herd Mentality won nicely at Santa Anita and may be a main threat. (1) Crown and Coke is worth a look from the rail. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-6. Exactas: 4-6 over 1-5 and 1-5 over 4-6. Doubles: 1-4-5-6 with 1-3-4-5. Pick 3: 1-4-5-6 with 1-3-4-5 with 1-5-6-8 and 6 with 5 with 1-4-5-6-8. Pick 4: 4-6 with 5 with 1-5-6-8 with 1-3-4-5-6.

9th race - (5) Midnight Bisou just missed against the boys in a $20 million race. Seems much the best here against the gals. (4) Serengeti Empress will be flying early and will be the one to catch in the stretch. (1) Go Google Yourself might perk up here. (3) Chocolate Kisses cannot be overlooked. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-5. Exactas: 4-5 over 1-3 and 1-3 over 4-5. Doubles: 1-3-4-5 with 1-5-6-8. Pick 3: 5 with 1-5-6-8 with 1-3-4-5-6.

10th race – (8) Owendale (A) launched an impressive, wide rally from last to win a Churchill Downs stakes in his 4-year-old debut. The added distance here should pose no problem for him. (1) Fearless (A) posted a solid win while rallying six-wide last time out. Steps up here but may benefit from a rail trip. (6) By My Standards seeks a fourth straight win and should be a major force here. (5) Tom’s d’Etat also owns a three-race winning streak and should be closing quickly at the end. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-5-6-8. Doubles: 1-5-6-8 with 1-3-4-5.

11th race – (5) Crystal Cliffs looked sharp in winning her U.S. debut and may prove best against these for a hot barn. (3) Stunning Sky has a nice late kick and will be a factor in the final furlong. (1) Dominga had a rough trip while rallying from far back. Will be helped by breaking from the rail. (4) In Good Spirits may be hard to reel in here. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place.  Exacta box: 1-3-4-5.