Churchill Downs Hotlist - May 29

Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List races to watch
Saturday, May 29, 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 – (1) Vodka N Water (A) was a game second in a stakes and should be able to handle maidens here. (6) Nineties Country should be a main threat in his debut for Cox. (2) Call Me Midnight is another firster who deserves a look. (7) Twenty Four Mamba might prefer a dry track. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-6. Exactas: 1-6 over 2-7 and 2-7 over 1-6. Doubles: 1-2-6-7 with 3-4-6-8.

2nd race – (4) Nope had some trouble when a narrowly beaten fourth. Can work out a winning trip here. (6) Osaka Girl should be well suited by the stretchout here. (8) Sunset Kiss showed some improvement last time and merits some attention here. (3) We the Clouds could work out a better trip here. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-6-8.

4th race – (2) Snow House (C) was bet down from 8-5 to 6-5 and posted a frontrunning victory in his first dirt race.  Should be formidable here. (8) Koolhaus exits a sharp win and looks like the one to fear. (4) Ghostlighter can be competitive in this spot. (9) Bourbon Thunder seeks a third straight win and deserves attention. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4-8-9.

6th race – (2) Sprawl (A) exploded for a big win last time and can handle these with a similar try. (5) American Dubai was a monster winner at Oaklawn and could be the one to fear. (7) Silver Dust comes off a graded stakes win and cannot be ignored. (3) Night Ops has the credentials to be a major factor here. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-5-7.

8th race – (1) Oyster Box was hurt by a wide trip last time and may work out a winning trip from the rail. (9) Saranya is in good form and merits a long look here. (8) Flown missed by a neck last time and should be a threat in the final furlong. (4) Spanish Loveaffair might wake up in this spot. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-8-9.