Churchill Downs Hotlist - October 31

Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List races to watch
Sunday, Oct. 31, 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.

1st race – (5) Rewire staged a nice rally in his debut to finish second and can emerge victorious here. (3) King Curlin was no factor in a grade 1 stakes but can bounce back in this spot. (8) Hitting Bombs could be a threat here. (6) Trademark should be a factor in the final furlong. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-5-6-8. Doubles: 3-5-6-8 with 3-5-6-8.

2nd race – (8) Implosion (C) dropped from 7-2 to 5-2 then battled on the front end before ultimately losing by a neck and a head. May not look back here. (5) Spiritcatcher is working nicely for her debut and merits attention. (3) My Zip Zip moves up from a claimer and is worth a look. (6) Butterbean could have an impact in her debut. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-5-6-8.

5th race – (4) Yuugirl (A) was an impressive debut winner and should be tough to beat here. (5) Dressed switches from turf to dirt and has run well on the main track in the past. (2) Mama Rina has stakes experience and will be a top contender. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4-5.

7th race – (8) General Strike (C) was bet down from 8-5 to 6-5 and was a game second. Should graduate here. (13) Cyberknife will be a major player if he can scratch into the field. (1) Seal Beach didn’t fire in a stakes but fits better here. (4) Unpredictable Bay has speed and may be tough to catch. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-8-13.

10th race – (9) Red Knobs turned in a strong rally to finish third and should get the job done. (3) Skippylongstocking won by a pole at Gulfstream and looms as the one to fear. (1) Guntown should benefit from a rail trip. (6) Howling Time looked good in a maiden win and cannot be ignored. Betting strategy: 9 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-6-9.