Churchill Downs Hotlist - May 22

Churchill Downs Hot List races to watch
Sunday, May 22, 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.

2nd race –  (4) Guest in My Heart drops a notch and should prove best in this bunch. (3) Mizbehaving Sis takes a drastic class drop and cannot be ignored. (1) Sweet Ginger can last for a share.  Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-4.

4th race – (7) True Jedi may not look back while returning to turf. (5) Rum ‘n Tonic will be a threat on his best try. (11) Disco could dance into the picture in his debut. (2) Ninja Warrior can make his presence felt here. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-5-7-11.

6th race – (5) David’s Gem missed by a head last time and can make amends here. (7) Charge the Line should be effective at this level. (3) My Man Flintstone is working sharply for his comeback race. (8) Seau will benefit from a turnback to a sprint.  Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-5-7-8.

8th race – (4) Arabian Prince might be effective at this distance and deserves a narrow nod over his rivals. (1) Common Bond may wake up in this spot. (5) Win Worthy should be a factor in the final furlong. (9) Verstappen fits in nicely here. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-5-9. Doubles: 1-4-5-9 with 1-2-5-7.

9th race – (5) Smarty John (B) was second last time and can move forward off the Foley claim and handle this group. (1) Lucky Devil may welcome some class relief in a claimer. (2) The Judge and Jury could be hard to catch here. (7) Acehigh Royal should perk up in a claimer. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-5-7.