Churchill Downs Hotlist - November 25

Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List races to watch
Wednesday, Nov. 25, 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.

4th race – (1) Further Lane (C) was bet down from even money to 3-5 off a 13-month layoff and finished a distant second in her first try against claimers. Was claimed by Howard off that big class drop and should atone for that setback here. (5) Microcap drops another few notches and should be the main rival. (4) Strong Odor hails from Maker’s barn and that alone makes her a factor here. (6) Tizso Awesome was second against similar and should be considered. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-5-6. Doubles: 1-4-5-6 with 1-5-6-7.

5th race - (5) Victory Boulevard won against better company for Maker and should add to his red-hot meet here. (7) Morning Social was claimed out of a third-place finish by Kenneally and should push the top choice. (6) Pepper Pike could wake up in his first start for Asmussen. (1) Urbanite will be a main factor from the rail. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-5-6-7.

7th race – (7) Beauty Day (B) finished second despite bobbling at the start and seems to fit in well here despite the class jump off the Ortiz claim. (3) Flashy Biz has some late speed and should be a major threat in the stretch. (6) Irish Willow was second in her last three starts and belongs in the exotic despite facing tougher company. (1) Sugar Love is worth a look off the Diodoro claim. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-7. Exactas: 3-7 over 1-6 and 1-6 over 3-7. Doubles: 1-3-6-7 with 1-3-6-9. Pick 3: 1-3-6-7 with 1-3-6-9 with 2-4-5-10.

8th race – (6) Crypto Cash (C) dropped from 4-1 to 2-1 then rallied nicely around two turns to miss by a neck. Moves up  off the Sharp claim while adding blinkers and should be helped by the faster pace here around one turn. (1) Dennis’ Moment has plenty of back class and will be dangerous despite the layoff. (3) Mo Mosa could be difficult to catch in this spot. (9) Telephone Talker moves to dirt seeking a third straight win and should not be ignored. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-6-9. Doubles: 1-3-6-9 with 2-4-5-10.

9th race – (4) Southern Passage (B) lost by a nose in a sprint when tested in a claimer for the first time and last time flopped around two turns in MSW company. Look for a bounce-back effort against claimers. (10) Bird Ruler was a wide fourth in his debut and will appreciate the class drop. (5) Double Tough Tiger should move forward in a claimer. (2) Parrot Head might wake up against claimers. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4-5-10.