Churchill Downs Hotlist - November 29

Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List races to watch
Sunday, Nov. 29, 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 – (5) Hat Trick was a game winner at this level last time and found the right spot to make it two in a row. (6) Dealin’ Stelen didn’t fire last time but a fast work and a switch to Gaffalione indicate he’s due for a better effort today. (4) County Court rallied from far back to miss by a head against the top pick and will be a main factor here. (2) Witch Doctor was second in his last two starts and could be a factor off a claim. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4-5-6. Doubles: 2-4-5-6 with 1-2-4-7.

5th race - (7) Spicy Marg (C) dropped from 8-5 to 4-5 and notched a frontrunning win. Could be hard to catch at a shorter distance, even on dirt. (2) Roderick exits stakes company and looks like the one to fear. (4) Superman Shaq cuts back to a sprint and should be well-suited by the conditions. (1) County Final might welcome a switch to dirt. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-7. Exactas: 2-7 over 1-4 and 1-4 over 2-7.

7th race – (6) Jurisdiction (A) was moving when he lacked running room and had to tip out to close for  second. Steps up in class but gets Lanerie and should be very competitive here. (9) The Big Bluff hadn’t run in five months then failed to fire. Might perk up here against cheaper company. (8) Smart Call should be competitive here after winning via DQ last time. (4) Critic was hurt by a wide trip and work out a better trip here. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-6-8-9.

9th race – (1) Mizzen Beau can control the pace from the rail and post a gate-to-wire victory. (2) Goodbye Earl might benefit from a stretchout to two turns. (5) Nomizar also stretches out and has enough ability to last for a share here. (6) High Regard would benefit if there’s a fast pace. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2. Exactas: 1-2 over 5-6 and 5-6 over 1-2.

11th race – (7) Euphoric (A) was a game second to an odds-on winner and should break her maiden here. (10) Amalfi Princess has a nice turn of speed and could be tough to catch. (3) Amusing Antics was third and second in her two starts and belongs in the exotics. (6) Ms V Time is a firster who deserves some attention. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-6-7-10.