Churchill Downs Hotlist - June 5

Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List races to watch
Saturday, June 5, 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 – (7) Lemon and Diem (C) dropped from 3-1 to 2-1 and won easily in a maiden claimer. Should be able to handle limited winners here. (5) Kickin’ Kirby changes barns and may move up. (2) Mahomes Money drops a notch off the claim and could be a threat. (3) West Warpath could be the right choice in this spot. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-7. Exactas: 1-7 over 2-3 and 2-3 over 1-7.

3rd race – (5) El Kabong has improved with each start and seems due for a win today. (10) Pine Knoll makes his 2021 debut for a new barn and merits respect. (1) Win Worthy had a troubled trip and then worked fast for today’s race. Merits a close look. (6) Conquest Rainycity adds Lasix and figures to be a  contender. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-5-6-10.                                                      .

5th race – (1) He’smyhoneybadger was a distant second at Oaklawn and should welcome the added distance. (2) Cool Bobby could be tough to collar from an inside post. (5) Savoy may be a stretch threat for new connections. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-5. Doubles: 1-2-5 with 2-4-5-9.

6th race – (5) Performing Arts (A) flew home for third last time and should work out a winning trip here. (2) Private Network might perk up while trying turf for the first time. (9) Dolder Grand returned to turf with a good effort and merits attention here. (4) Awakened may wake up while also returning to the turf course. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4-5-9.

10th race – (10) Air Show won easily in his debut for Amoss and can make it two in a row here. (11) Cold as Hell also exits a win and shapes up as the main foe. (1) Edge to Edge will be a force if he can duplicate his last try. (6) Top Gunner has enough speed to a major factor here. Betting strategy: 10 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-6-10-11.