Churchill Downs Hotlist - May 21

Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List races to watch
Thursday, May 21, 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.

1st race – (2) Mad Maddy put in a sharp recent bullet work from the gate to prep for her debut and deserves top billing here. (4) Tequila Queen is working quickly for Ward and should be the one to fear. (10) Seguro could make her presence felt in this spot. (5) Prettyhappy is a daughter of Runhappy who is worth a look. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4-5-10.

4th race - (9) Summer Revolution debuts for Diodoro off the claim and should make it two wins in a row. (11) Bootlegger drops a couple of levels and should be dangerous here. (2) Spikes Shirl takes a drastic class drop and is worth a look. (8) Ernie Banks returns to a claimer and could knock it out of the Park. Betting strategy: 9 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-8-9-11.

6th race - (3) Frost Or Frippery was claimed by Cox out of a sharp win and can make it two in a row against these. (6) Overzealous has been no worse than second in his last eight starts and should figure in the exacta. (4) Calculated Risker might wake up in this spot. (9) Curlin Grey could be a threat in the final furlong. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-6-9. Doubles: 3-4-6-9 with 3-6-7-8.

7th race – (6) Devant couldn’t threaten against stakes company but should be a main factor here. (8) Stylishly will welcome a return to turf. (3) Dalika will appreciate the class relief after tackling stakes rivals in her last five starts. (7) Harmless could be tough to catch in this spot. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-6-7-8.

9th race – (5) Front End the Fed hasn’t raced since October when he finished a solid second in a Belmont Park stakes but seems ready for a big effort here. (10) Case Creed makes his first start since a Grade 2 stakes win at Saratoga and is dangerous if ready for his best try. (9) Mr Dumas flopped in a stakes but should rebound here. (8) Clint Maroon has enough speed to land a piece of the purse. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place.  Exacta box: 5-8-9-10