Churchill Downs Hotlist - November 21

Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List races to watch
Saturday, Nov. 21, 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.

3rd race – (2) His Glory (C) dropped from 12-1 to 7-1 and posted a frontrunning win. Should be hard to catch from the rail in a small field. (5) Chocolate Kisses was a game second and should be able to push the top choice. The (1) entry of Final Cut and High Regard will be dangerous here. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exactas: 2 over 1-5 and 1-5 over 2.

5th race - (2) Cane Creek Road takes a big class drop and will be the one to beat in this field. (3) Polsar is  a firster who merits attention. (6) Cody’s Legacy is another firster who could be a factor in this field. (8) Smoothie had a useful debut and can take a step forward here. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-6-8. Doubles: 2-3-6-8 with 2-3-4-8.

6th race – (8) Mystic Night didn’t fire in his debut for Chad. Gets stretched out here and adds blinkers, which could add up to a better effort today. (4) Aasr is working sharply for his first start in a year and could be a major factor. (2) Pledgeofallegiance returns to one turn and might perk up in this spot. (3) Moliere disappointed in his second start but could bounce back here. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-4-8.

8th race – (13) Euphoric (A) will need a scratch in order to run but was a solid second behind a heavy favorite and should be able to graduate in this spot. (10) Foolery was bumped at the start and then finished a wide third in her debut. Can take a step forward here. (6) Marion Francis debuts for Cox and seems poised for a big effort. (1) Three Tipsy Chix was an improved second last time and will be a main contender from the rail. Betting strategy: 13 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-6-10-13. Doubles: 1-6-10-13 with 2-5-6-9.

9th race – (6) Risky Mandate (C) was bet down from even money to 1-2 and posted a nice frontrunning win. Will be dangerous here if she can duplicate that try. (2) Finite missed by a neck in a Grade 2 stakes last time and looms as the one to fear. (5) Gold Standard posted a solid win last time and should be battling to the wire. (9) Sanenus grabbed third last time and could make her presence felt here. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-5-6-9.