Churchill Downs Hotlist - October 2

Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List races to watch
Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021

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 – (1) Six Pack was claimed last time out by Diodoro and should be hard to beat at a lower claiming level. (7) Big Nick takes a class drop into a claimer and will be a threat here. (4) Excursion also hails from Diodoro’s barn and will be a factor on his best try. (5) Oncoming Train should be charging at the end. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-7. Exactas: 1-7 over 4-5 and 4-5 over 1-7. Doubles: 1-4-5-7 with 1-3-6-8.

3rd race – (6) Put a Bow On It was second in her debut and looks like a solid play in a claimer. (1) Knowing Glance was third in both starts and looks like the one to fear. (8) Four Dawn has some speed and may be hard to catch. (3) Not So Close adds blinkers and might wake up. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-6-8.

8th race – (2) Knicks Go is the class of the field and should get a winning prep for the Breeders’ Cup. (5) Independence Hall promises to be a factor off his best try. (6) Sprawl is highly consistent and should take home past of the purse. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-6.

10th race – (10) Beau Liam makes his stakes debut off a string off impressive efforts and looks best here. (11)  Rushie returns to Churchill Downs where he won at this distance last year and should work out a good trip from the outside post. (6) Aloha West seeks a third straight win and can make his presence felt. (7) Plainsman is in great form and is capable of a big effort here. Betting strategy: 10 to win, place. Exacta box: 6-7-10-11. Doubles: 6-7-10-11 with 2-3-4-10.

11^th race – (4) Laughing Boy (C) was bet down from 4-5 to 1-2 and posted an easy maiden win. Could make it two straight wins today. (10) Runnin’ Ray has keen early speed and may not look back here. (2) Island Boy chases a third straight win and deserves a long look. (3) Amani’s Eagle was second last time and is working sharply for his comeback race and should be a contender. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-4-10.