Churchill Downs Hotlist - October 30

Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List races to watch
Friday, Oct. 30, 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 – (5) Double Oaked has his claiming price cut in half and should be able to handle this field. (6) Delachaise steps up after beating limited winners but fits in with this bunch. (1) Decorated for Gold will benefit from the turf to dirt switch. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-5-6.

4th race - (9) Oak Room (B) bobbled at the start, losing five lengths at the break and never recovered while racing wide. Was claimed by Maker and takes a big jump in class but switching to turf makes him an interesting play. (1) Hawk of War looks like the one to fear from the rail. (4) Punch Hard returns from a layoff in a claimer and cannot be ignored. (3) Pintxos was hurt by a wide trip last time. Betting strategy: 9 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-4-9. Doubles: 1-3-4-9 with 3-4-6.

5th race – (6) The Feature was a solid second in his first try at this level and can make amends for that setback. (4) Trashtalkinyankee could be hard to collar in a small field. (3) Elusive d’Oro should perk up on turf. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-6.

7th race – (5) Sunset Promise descends into a claimer and should be able to record a victory. (2) My Aunt Mims comes off a turf win at Lone Star and merits respect. (7) Bankruptonthebeach will benefit from some class relief in a claimer. (6) Siamese flopped in allowance company last time but can rebound here. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-5-6-7.

10th race – (3) Princess Theorem (B) lacked some racing in her debut when she finished a close third. She should be able to find her path to the winner’s circle here. (5) Amortization launched a wide, belated rally last time and be will be force here. (6) Temper Time has been taking some nice steps forward and merits respect. (1) Regal Song has a nice burst of early speed and may prove hard to catch from the rail. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-5-6.