Churchill Downs Hotlist - October 31

Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List races to watch
Saturday, Oct. 31, 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 – (6) Healing returns to the claiming ranks and seems the most likely winner. (2) Kadesh drops to a level where he should be effective. (3) Forloveofcountry missed by a nose at this level and cannot be overlooked in a small field. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-6.

4th race - (1) Justinthenickotime faces claimers one again and seems overdue for a victory. (2) Bring Me a Check is in great form and looks like the one to fear. (9) Midnight Jostar has a solid late kick and will be a threat in the final furlong. (10) Turbo Drive might wake up at this level. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-9-10.

7th race – (8) Value Engineering has never finished worse than third and should be handle to handle this group. (2) Kinenos exits stakes company and looms as the main rival. (1) Bourbon in May will benefit from a ground saving trip. (5) Golden Dragon can be a factor against this bunch on his best try. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-5-8. Doubles: 1-2-5-8 with 1-7-9-10.

8th race – (10) Milana is training sharply for her debut and deserves top billing here. (7) Taqseemaat might prefer dirt over turf and take a step forward here. (9) Little Blaze seems ready for a big effort in her debut. (1) Hypernova has looked fast in morning works and will be a main contender from the rail. Betting strategy: 10 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-7-9-10.

10th race – (1) Demora (B) had little chance after breaking slowly and racing wide much of the way. Can turn in an improved effort while dropping into a claimer and breaking from the rail. (4) A Kitten for Katie is an interesting newcomer making her debut. (5) Treaty of Paris may perk up on turf. (10) Better With Age will welcome a return to a claimer.  Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-5-10.