Churchill Downs Hotlist - September 23

Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List races to watch
Wednesday, Sept. 23, 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 – (6) Fast Cash drops a notch after some competitive efforts against better horses. Should prove best here. (3) First Citizen has a nice turn of speed and could be tough to catch. (5) Jack Luvs Nova returns to a claimer and should be tough here. (7) My Name Is Phred could be a factor in the final furlong. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-6. Exactas: 3-6 over 5-7 and 5-7 over 3-6. Doubles: 3-5-6-7 with 1-3-5-6.

3rd race - (3) Prompt (A) broke in the air then closed fast to finish fourth. Can handle these with a smooth trip. (6) Street to Indy has sharp early speed and is the one to fear. (5) Light of the World exits a nice win and should be a threat here. (1) Mississippi has inside speed and figures to be rolling from the rail. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-5-6.

5th race – (7) Pick Up the Fone was claimed by Diodoro off a string of solid efforts for Pletcher and deserves top billing. (9) Duplicitous could work out a good trip from the outside post. (2) Erv’s Wench should be effective here in a claimer. (3) Super Wonder Girl cannot be ignored against these. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-7-9. Doubles: 2-3-7-9 with 2-5-6-7.

6th race – (5) Wild Combo is working sharply for Asmussen and may win at first asking. (2) Danger could be the main concern here. (7) Excessive Lady might last for a share with his outside speed. (6) Mariah’s Princess is another firster who could be dangerous. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-5. Exactas: 2-5 over 6-7 and 6-7 over 2-5.

8th race – (6) Set Piece had a rough trip in his second U.S. start. The third time should be the charm. (4) Big Agenda has been no worse than second in his last three starts and should be the biggest threat. (3) Golden Dragon drew clear to win his last and can make it two in a row here. (5) Argentello flopped in a graded stakes but fits better here. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-5-6.