Churchill Downs Hotlist - May 8

Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List races to watch
Saturday, May 8, 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 – (4) Ghostly Who exits a sharp Oaklawn Park win for Diodoro and should prove best in this spot. (2) Flat Lucky also scored at Oaklawn in his last start and might be the main danger. (3) Can’t Say No has a good late kick and will be a factor in the final furlong. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-4.

4th race – (3) Fay Dan showed speed and finished a distant second last time. Today should be graduation day. (4) Rogue Element returns to a claimer and could be the main threat. (1) Intentional Walk might appreciate a switch to dirt. (6) Enid will be a contender here in a claimer. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-4-6.

6th race – (7) My Sweet Story (B) staged a nice rally to finish second at 60-1 in his debut. Will be a much lower price here. (10) Perhaps Tonight (B) showed some improvement last time and today may be the day for her. (11) Ballymore Star might benefit from the switch to Geroux and is worth a look despite the post. (1) Bella Conchita might improve with blinkers. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-7-10-11.

9th race – (1) Crystal Ball ships in from California for Baffert and looks like the one to beat. (3) Funnybet has been no worse than second in her last three starts and merits attention. (7) Figure It Out has some speed and could hang on against this group. (10) Market Rumor could work out a good trip despite the outside post. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-7-10. Doubles: 1-3-7-10 with 2-3-4-7.

10th race – (2) Goin’ Good was a game second last time and could make amends for that setback here. (3) Illegal Smile makes her 3-year-old debut for Ward and looms a main danger. (4) Wink also hails from Ward’s barn and should not be overlooked. (7) Amanzi Yimpilo rounds out a formidable set of horses from Ward. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-4-7.