Churchill Downs Hotlist - June 30

Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List races to watch
Thursday, June 30, 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 – (1) Ain’t She a Pistol takes a class drop after two straight wins and should handle this bunch. (4) Beverly’s Charge was a distant second against better company and promises to be the main rival. (2) Lady Protonico faces weaker competition and should be formidable here. (3) Catchusifyoucan won easily at Lone Star and can be a factor. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4. Exactas: 1-4 over 2-3 and 2-3 over 1-4.

3rd race – (5) The Stiff (B) battled gamely throughout last time and lost by a head. Can make amends for that setback here. (4) Colonelsdarktemper was third last time and will be dangerous with a class drop. (6) Peekacho was a rallying second previously and cannot be ignored. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-5-6. Doubles: 4-5-6 with 1-4-6-7.

4th race –  (1) American Hero could be ready for a big try after the Flint claim. (6) Tiwanaku was claimed last time out by Amoss and will be a top contender. (7) Happy Romance looked good in a comeback win and cannot be ignored. (4) Sono Grato should be a factor in the final furlong. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-6. Exactas: 1-6 over 4-7 and 4-7 over 1-6.

6th race – (3) All Luck closed out last fall with two straight wins. Can continue the winning streak here for Cox despite an 8-month layoff. (6) Played Hard looked sharp last time and should be the main competition. (5) Tap for Me was given a freshening after a nice win and fits in well with this group. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-5-6.

8th race – (5) Silverleaf (C) dropped from 2-1 to 8-5 and set the pace while settling for second last time. She should break her maiden here. (9) Spare Cash was second four straight times. How about five? (2) What’s to Do might appreciate the switch to dirt. (4) Hedy Lamarr is worth a look despite never running on dirt before. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4-5-9.