Churchill Downs Hotlist - November 19

Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List races to watch
Thursday, Nov. 19, 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.

1st race – (3) Free was an easy frontrunning winner last time and can make it two in a row here. (1) Field Daisey returns from a seven-month break and should be helped by a rail trip. (6) Domonette was a clear second in her last start and should be in the picture once again. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-6.

4th race - (4) Hard to Be Good was claimed by Amoss out of his last start and should lead gate-to-wire here. (6) Take Charge d’Oro rallied for third against cheaper company and may be tough off a claim by Barkley. (1) Cashanova could benefit from a quick pace. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-6. Doubles: 1-4-6 with 1-3-4-7.

5th race – (7) Indian Counselor was fourth last time out but should be able to work out a winning trip against this field. (4) Blueridge Mountain might appreciate the added distance here. (3) Sharecropper returns to a claimer and seems capable of a better effort. (1) Box of Chocolates exits a starter race and fits quite well here. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-7. Exactas: 4-7 over 1-3 and 1-3 over 4-7.

7th race – (4) Sequin (C) took a big late hit and dropped from 2-1 to 6-5 before she set the pace but weakened late and settled for second. She can make amends for that setback today. (1) Palomita has sharp early speed and should be the one to fear. (6) Never Forget ran well enough in a stakes two starts back to be a main factor here. (3) Heaven Escape might welcome a turnback in distance. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-4-6.

9th race – (1) Monte Ne (B) finished first in his last start but was taken down for a questionable foul. Gets a second chance to notch that win here. (12) Peddlers Pride switches to dirt and could perk up at this level. (3) Deanos Cape takes a significant class drop and cannot be ignored. (11) Star for Betsy might be a contender in his first start. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-11-12.