Churchill Downs Hotlist - November 17

Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List races to watch

Wednesday, Nov. 17, 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 – (5) Osbourne (A) was a good second in his career debut and should graduate here. (2) Hitting Bombs was a distant second last time and should appreciate the cutback to seven furlongs. (4) Loco rallied belatedly in his debut and gets some added ground here. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4-5.

4th race – (5) Blake B. won his last two starts and can make it three in a row here. (1) Highestdistinction might perk up back on dirt. (6) Kingmeister has some speed and could be tough to catch. (2) Hawk of War seems versatile enough to handle dirt. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-5. Exactas: 1-5 over 2-6 and 2-6 over 1-5.

5th race – (5) Kasserine Pass makes her first start for Diodoro and should respond with a big effort. (4) Take Charge Erica can be effective at this level. (7) Honey Parade will be a main threat in a claimer. (8) Chakra could work out a good trip from the outside. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-5-7-8.

7th race – (1) Flat Awesome Jenny (A) has won five straight starts and can make it a six-pack here. (8) Lady of Luxury has been worse than third only once in her last nine starts and should be the main rival. (4) Inthemidstofbiz exits a graded stakes and will welcome the class relief. (2) Sterling Miss was third behind the top pick last time and should be in the picture once again. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-4-8.

8th race – (4) Pneumatic was a stakes winner a year ago and should benefit from a third in his first start after a lengthy layoff. (5) Endorsed figures to  be a threat in the final furlong. (1) Sir Alfred James just missed last time and cannot be ignored. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-5.