Churchill Downs Hotlist - June 4

Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List races to watch
Thursday, June 4, 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.

4th race – (6) Road to Romance is working quickly for her debut and deserves top billing here. (11) Little Jewel seems ready for a big effort in her debut. (8) Ever Clever Lady comes from a barn which does well with firsters. (3) Tobys Heart put in a quick work in preparation for this and cannot be ignored. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-6-8-11. Doubles: 3-6-8-11 with 1-5-6-7.

5th race - (7) Silver Ride takes a big class drop and should be tough to beat at this level. (5) Sharp Art returns to a claimer and will be a key threat here. (1) Kowboy Karma should be rallying quickly at the end. (6) Saturday Tryst has a nice turn of speed and could be tough to catch. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-5-6-7.

7th race - (8) Labeq has not raced since October when he missed by a neck at Belmont Park. Has switched over to Maker’s barn and should get off to a good start in this spot. (5) Moon Over Miami had no impact in a stakes, but fits better here. (6) Dack Janiel’s may be appreciate a switch from dirt to turf. (10) Sea of Hope had a useful comeback start and should move forward here. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 5-6-8-10. Doubles: 5-6-8-10 with 3-6-7-8. Pick 3: 5-6-8-10 with 3-6-7-8 with 4-6-7-8.

8th race – (6) Guarana was one of the leading 3-year-old fillies last year and should start off 2020 in fine fashion here. (8) Lady Suebee scratched out of a stakes for this spot and figures to be the main threat. (3) Peruvian Appeal was second in her last four starts and belongs in the exotics. (7) Please Flatter Me is training sharply and merit respect. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-6-7-8. Doubles: 3-6-7-8 with 4-6-7-8.

9th race – (7) Kid Shelleen is a firster from Cox who is working swiftly and deserves top billing here. (6) American Humor is another who is making his debut and could have a say on the outcome. (8) Greenback had a wide trip against MSW company and may be more competitive in a claimer. (4) Dreamonmebaby drops a notch and should be right there at the finish. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place.  Exacta box: 4-6-7-8.