Churchill Downs Hotlist - September 17

Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List races to watch
Thursday, Sept. 17, 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.

2nd race – (4) Wild Love was a game second in her debut and now returns to the track where she broke her maiden by 11 ½ lengths. Deserves top billing here. (1) Singita Dreams should improve while returning to dirt. (3) Storm At Sea was a convincing maiden winner and fits in nicely here. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-4.

4th race - (1) Fixico takes a dramatic class drop and should handle these while moving to dirt and adding Lasix. (2) Good Clean Fun woke up in his first try in a claimer and should be a main threat. (5) Booyakasha switches back to the main track and can bounce back here. (9) Instigated will be formidable back on dirt. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-5-9. Doubles: 1-2-5-9 with 1-2-5-10.

5th race – (1) Great Island hasn’t raced in 11 months but Chad should have her ready for a big effort off the layoff. (5) Better With Age has late speed and should be closing fast. (10) Urbana adds blinkers and may get rolling sooner. (2) Dinn Righ is worth a look in her U.S. debut. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-5-10.

8th race – (5) Major Attraction woke up on turf and can make it two in a row here. (3) Box of Chocolates was re-claimed by Ortiz and should be primed for a big effort in his turf debut. (2) Fra Mauro raced well on turf in the past and deserves some attention here. (7) Front Man looms a major threat in the final furlong. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-5-7.

9th race – (10) Targeted Return is an intriguing firster who seems best in this spot. (12) Montgomery Park was third in her debut and can take a step forward here. (5) Seeking Seca should be a key contender in her debut. (8) Super Sport has worked sharply for her debut. Betting strategy: 10 to win, place. Exacta box: 5-8-10-12.