Churchill Downs Hotlist - May 30

 Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List races to watch
Sunday, May 30, 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.

2nd race – (8) Donzi was third last time and takes a big enough class drop to be the top pick. (9) Honiara drops off a claim by Maker and could be the main threat. (2) No Obligation was second last time and will make his presence felt. (1) Master of War, who is coupled with Banderas, will welcome a return to dirt. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-8-9. Doubles: 1-2-8-9 with 3-4-5.

3rd race – (4) Cees Get Degrees rallied for third in a stakes but should get up in time here. (5) Field Day beat the top pick last time and might be the main rival. (3) Petit Verdot has plenty of speed and could be hard to catch in a small field. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-5.

5th race – (1) Majestic Ro moves into a claimer and should be tough to catch in a claimer. (2) Knopfler broke his maiden in his turf debut and merits attention here. (3) Grey Streak is worth a good look in his first try against winners. (10) Davidic Line makes a surprising switch to turf and could emerge as a threat. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-3-10.

7th race – (8) Guitty ships in from California where she was competitive in an array of stakes. Looks best in this spot. (2) Curly Ruth debuts for a new barn and might push the top choice on her   best try. (9) Tizhara might improve while adding Leparoux. (1) Alnaseem closed belatedly for fourth in her US debut and should benefit from a rail trip. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-8-9.

9th race – (1) Surrealist (A) missed by a nose in her return to turf and may not look back here with a ground-saving trip. (8) Transient should be a force in the stretch. (4) Queen Bourbon might perk up on turf. (6) Robin’s Fantasy adds blinkers and Lasix and might emerge as a big threat. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-6-8.