Churchill Downs Hotlist - November 20

Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List races to watch
Friday, Nov. 20, 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.

2nd race – (5) My Aunt Mims (C) dropped from 5-2 to 9-5 and was second-best around two turns. She should thrive with a cutback to a one turn mile. (4) Recoded (C) was bet down from 2-1 to 3-2 and was a convincing winner. Should be a threat in this spot. (6) Addison won easily in an off-the-turf race and fits nicely here. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-5-6.

4th race - (3) Uncork the Bottle seeks a fifth straight win and will be hard to handle. (1) Snow Man should be a threat at this level. (7) Riverboat Gambler could work out a good trip from the outside in this field. (6) High Proof has enough speed to make his presence felt.  Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3. Exactas: 1-3 over 6-7 and 6-7 over 1-3.

7th race – (6) Patty H was an improved second last time and should thrive against claimers. (8) Hybrid Eclipse ran well enough in her debut against MSW rivals to merit attention here. (2) Aspropodia is an interesting firster from McPeek who should not be ignored. (3) Rock Star Parking has been working well since a dull debut and adds Gaffalione. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-6-8. Doubles: 2-3-6-8 with 2-3-4-7. Pick 3: 2-3-6-8 with 2-3-4-7 with 1-2-6-7.

8th race – (7) American Mandate is overdue for a win after a string of tough losses and he should get the nod here. (3) Verb hasn’t raced since breaking his maiden in May and merits a long look here. (2) Royal Daaher has been sidelined since a sharp February win but has been working quickly for his comeback. (4) Twilight Fantasy is another who is returning from a layoff and could have a say in the outcome. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-7. Exactas: 3-7 over 2-4 and 2-4 over 3-7. Doubles: 2-3-4-7 with 1-2-6-7.

9th race – (1) She Wants More (B) stumbled at the start and then was steadied and lacked room in the stretch. She still managed to finish fourth and should make amends today. (2) Double Oaked (B) rallied nicely to rally for second against an odds-on favorite and should not be ignored here. (7) Lady McKenzie  was second against better and will be dangerous here. (6) Bettyb switches from turf to turf and might wake up. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-6-7.