Churchill Downs Hotlist - September 19

Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List races to watch
Saturday, Sept. 19, 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) Sir Acealot debuts for Cox off some fine works and should prove best in a weak field. (3) Bode’s Light was second in his debut and should be the main rival. (6) Tenth of Gold seems to be ready for a good effort in his debut. (1) Critical Threat is another firster who deserves attention. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-5-6.

5th race - (3) Tkotchke put in a solid effort in MSW company and should be able to handle claimers here. (5) Lookin for Loki also drops into a claimer and should be formidable. (4) Clearly Mad has recorded some sharp works for his debut and is worth a look. (1) Portal One can also be a factor in his debut. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-4-5. Doubles: 1-3-4-5 with 3-6-7-11.

6th race – (11) Misspell will need a scratch to run but should benefit from a strong debut effort and seems best in this field. (6) Saranya is an interesting firster in this field. (3) Stage Fright is a first-time starter who should not be ignored. (7) Chipshire showed speed in her debut and could be hard to catch. Betting strategy: 11 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-6-7-11.

8th race – (4) Patty H (C) was bet down from 8-5 to 6-5 and finished a game second at Keeneland. She records her maiden win here. (6) Eileen Alexandra is putting in the kind of works for her debut that makes her intriguing. (8) Dottie also seems ready for a sharp effort in her first start. (7) Rookery will benefit from a fast track. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-6-7-8.

10th race – (5) Its a Wrap steps up off the Asmussen claim and shapes up as the one to beat. (8) Perfect Sense has put in some bullet works for his first start and should not be discounted. (6) On Your Mark returns to the claiming ranks and should make her presence felt. (4) War Detonator should perk up in the claiming ranks. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-5-6-8.