Churchill Downs Hotlist - September 24

Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List races to watch
Friday, Sept. 24, 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 – (1) Vinegar Veggies was an improved second last time for Asmussen and seems nicely spotted here against claimers. (2) Legally Lucky debuts for Calhoun and seems to have a nice turn of speed based on her works. (4) Sweet Annabella drops into a claimer after a weak try at the MSW level. (8) Beverly’s Charge should be effective in a claimer. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-4-8. Doubles: 1-2-4-8 with 2-3-4-5.

2nd race – (4) Mizbehaving Sis looked good in a debut win for Cox and can make it two in a row here. (3) Ring Me Darling returns to dirt where she was an easy maiden winner. (2) T.K.’s Joker showed some promise in a debut win and fits well here. (5) Offaly Fast figures to return to top form back on dirt. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4. Exactas: 3-4 over 2-5 and 2-5 over 3-4.

5th race – (8) Blueridge Mountain disappointed last time but should be hard to deny at this level. (2) Knight’s Cross seeks a third straight win and cannot be ignored. (6) Heirloom Kitten adds blinkers off the Sharp claim and might wake up. (4) Pinson steps up off two seconds and two wins in his last four starts and should be a contender. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4-6-8.

7th race – (2) Belle Tapisserie is 2-for-2 in his last two starts and can make it three straight wins today. (5) Identity Politics was claimed by Asmussen out of a Saratoga win and should be a force here. (8) Super Sol could perk up back on dirt. (7) Donnels Creek might benefit from a turf to dirt switch.  Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-5-7-8. Doubles: 2-5-7-8 with 2-3-5-6.

8th race – (5) Golden Sights was second in an Ellis Park stakes and shapes up as the one to beat. (6) Blamethechampagne was a distant second last time and might be the runner-up again. (3) Emerald was third on turf in her debut and could be better suited by dirt. (2) Chopin Drive was fourth behind the top pick and cannot be discounted as a threat. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-5-6