Churchill Downs Hotlist - October 25

Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List races to watch
Sunday, Oct. 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.

1st race – (4) Big Union drops into a claimer for the first time and should be tough to beat here. (9) Bird Ruler is a firster putting in interesting works. (6) Cools Rags also descends into a claimer and is worth a look. (1) Mahomes Money will be a big threat from the rail. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-6-9. Doubles: 1-4-6-9 with 2-4-6-8.

2nd race - (4) Rookery was a game second last time and should break her maiden today. (2) Shastaloo was second last time and looms a main threat here. (8) Army Wife might appreciate the switch from turf to dirt. (6) Silk and Sugar finished second in her debut and will be a factor here. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4-6-8.

4th race – (1) Hillbilly Logic has the rail and should be tough to catch in his debut. (5) Spicy Marg was second and third in her two starts and should be formidable here. (9) Invincibility had a useful debut and will be a threat here. (6) Spend Benjamins might improve off the cutback in distance. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-5-6-9.

8th race – (7) Super Stock was third in a Grade 1 stakes last time and looks best in this spot. (2) Oncoming Train looked good in a debut win and deserves respect here. (4) King Fury had a wide trip in a Grade 1 stakes and can bounce back here. (5) Eucharist could be tough to catch here. Betting strategy: 7  to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4-5-7. Doubles: 2-4-5-7 with 4-7-8-9.

9th race – (8) Southern Passage (A) closed fast from far back to miss by a nose in a claimer. Moves up from the claiming ranks but should benefit from the two-turn distance. (7) Floriform (D) was bet down from 5-2 to 8-5 but showed little in his debut. He could perk up in his second try. (4) Scarlet Fusion might fare better in his second start. (9) Business Model took a nice step forward in his first try at two turns and fits quite well here. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-7-8-9.