Churchill Downs Hotlist - November 26

Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List races to watch
Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022

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 – (4) Desert Wolf (D) was bet down from 9-5 to 7-5 and took a step backwards in the slop. Can rebound here. (3) Sense You Asked could be a threat in his debut. (5) Shopper’s Revenge is another interesting firster. (8) Determinedly was a distant second at the wire but could be closer today. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-5-8. Doubles: 3-4-5-8 with 3-4-5-7. Pick 3: 3-4-5-8 with 3-4-5-7 with 1-2-6-8.

2nd race – (7) Comparative was third in her two starts but adds blinkers here and that may put her over the top. (5) Towhead was a game second last time and should be the main rival here. (3) Roses and Rozay seems to be moving in the right direction. (4) Mija could be a factor in this field. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-5-7. Doubles: 3-4-5-7 with 1-2-6-8.

3rd race – (2) Victory Formation (A) was an impressive debut winner at Keeneland and can make it two in a row here. (6) Lugan Knight was a game maiden winner and should be a main threat here. (8) Gold Luck could work out a good trip from the outside. (1) Welaka will benefit from a rail trip. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-6-8.

5th race – (9) Spielman seems to be getting better with every start and gets the nod here. (10) Endpoint could be a stretch threat in this field. (2) Escapologist might break away from the field and prevail. (7) Point Proven took a big step forward last time and continued improvement will make him a tough customer. Betting strategy: 9 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-7-9-10.

11th race – (8) Instant Coffee rallied belatedly for fourth in the Breeders’ Futurity. Might work out a winning journey here. (1) Curly Jack should be the one to fear from the rail. (3) Denington was a solid maiden winner and merits some consideration. (5) Red Route One will appreciate a dry track. Betting strategy: 8  to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-5-8.