Churchill Downs Hotlist - May 23

Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List races to watch
Saturday, May 23, 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.

5th race – (8) First Premio (B) had little chance closing from far back into moderate fractions. Should get a better setup here. (4) Doctor Mounty will be a force if he can duplicate his best try. (9) Mr. Misunderstood didn’t fire in a stakes but put in some promising works for this. (12) English Bee figures to be a threat in the final furlong. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-8-9-12.

7th race - (4) Dunbar Road begins her 4-year-old campaign and should be tough to beat. (6) Vault takes the blinkers off and could turn in an improved effort. (5) Another Broad should be a factor in the final furlong. (8) She’s a Julie may be hard to catch here. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-5-6-8. Doubles: 4-5-6-8 with 3-4-7-12.

8th race - (12) Moral Reasoning came up short at the end last time but can make amends here. (3) Walk In Marrakesh had some traffic issues last time but is capable of a better showing here. (4) Dominga won despite a rough trip and cannot be ignored. (7) Outburst seeks a third straight U.S. win. Betting strategy: 12 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-7-12.

10th race – (6) Ny Traffic was a solid second in a Grade 2 stakes and could prove tough to catch in a field without much speed. (10) Maxfield makes his 3-year-old debut and has prepped nicely for it. (11) Attachment Rate has been knocking on the door and belongs in the exotics. (12) Major Fed has some talent but wound up with a tough post. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 6-10-11-12. Doubles: 6-10-11-12 with 1-5-6-10.

11th race – (1) South Bend has been the victim of bad racing luck in his last few starts. Today he gets the rail and is re-united with Leparoux. That could be a winning combination. (5) Field Pass beat the top pick in their last meeting and looks like the one to fear. (13) Billy Batts was clobbered by international competition in Saudi Arabia, but could shine here. (6) Hieronymus has plenty of speed and might be tough to catch. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place.  Exacta box: 1-5-6-13.