Churchill Downs Hotlist - September 16

Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List races to watch
Thursday, Sept. 16, 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 – (6) Speed Zone drops a notch after finishing second at Indiana Grand and should prevail here. (3) Blonde On Tap was second in her last two starts and looks like the one to fear. (7) Tribord returns to a claimer and merits attention. (5) Spy a Star could grab a piece of the purse. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-5-6-7. Doubles: 3-5-6-7 with 2-4-5-7.

2nd race – (4) Ambitiously Placed has been no worse than second in her last five starts and looks best in this spot. (2) Princess d’Oro switches from turf to dirt and may wake up. (7) Bertrada missed by a head and will be dangerous in a claimer. (5) Coinmaker could contend at this level. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4. Exactas: 2-4 over 5-7 and 5-7 over 2-4.

4th race – (3) Honky Tonk Hero makes his debut for Cox and seems ready for a sharp effort. (9) Suppressor will be dangerous trying claimers for the first time. (5) Centurion might enjoy a switch to the main track. (4) Pledgeofallegiance may thrive in a claimer. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-5-9. Doubles: 3-4-5-9 with 1-4-8-11.

5th race – (1) Cogburn should benefit from his debut at Saratoga and may not look back here. (4) Almanzo is a firster who could be dangerous against these. (11) Cyclone is prepping nicely for his debut. (8) Zippin Gigi was second first time out and cannot be ignored. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-8-11.

7th race – (6) Microcap  has a nice turn of early speed and could be hard to catch here. (8) Its Cold in Dehere won easily here in a claimer last time out and has been training sharply for this start. (5) Powder River might be ready for a better effort here. (3) Singita Dreams missed by a head and should be a main threat. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-5-6-8.