Churchill Downs Hotlist - May 21

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

3rd race – (5) Jack Van Berg returns to a claimer after running in starter races and should prove best. (7) Baquero Flies was hurt by a slow start and wide trip and could improve here. (1) Aye Aye Sir should be a threat at this level. (3) El Piquin might be hard to catch here. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 5-7. Exactas: 5-7 over 1-3 and 1-3 over 5-7. Doubles: 1-3-5-7 with 2-3-6-7. Pick 3: 1-3-5-7 with 2-3-6-7 with 2-4-5-6.

4th race – (6) Overbore closed fast to just miss in his debut and should atone for that setback here.  (2) Artos was second in his first start and should pose the biggest threat. (7) Tuskegee Cat is a firster from Ward who seems to have some talent. (3) Seize the Treasure put in a fast gate work for this. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-6-7. Doubles: 2-3-6-7 with 2-4-5-6.

5th race – (6) Lulumaru is a speedy shipper from Diodoro who should not look back here. (2) Our Musical Moment looks like the main threat in this field. (4) Her Giant comes off a win and merits respect. (5) Sacred Storm has enough speed to hang on for a share. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-6. Exactas: 2-6 over 4-5 and 4-5 over 2-6.

7th race – (5) Empress Eleanor (A) earned a dead-heat last time but should post a clear-cut victory today. (6) Family Way was second in her U.S. debut and can take a step forward here. (9) Flabbergasted looks like the one they’ll need to catch in this field. (10) Enjoyitwhilewecan should make her presence felt in the final furlong.  Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 5-6-9-10.

9h race – (7) High Deff has been away since January but figures to be able to handle a field of claimers. (4) Courageously should welcome the class relief in a claimer. (3) Hornswoggle should be a factor while trying turf for the first time. (8) Koufax could toss a curve at them and pull out a victory. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-7-8.