Churchill Downs Hotlist - September 28

Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List races to watch
Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022

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 – (7) Please Be Kind drops into a claimer and should prevail at today’s shorter distance. (5) Little Sister Sue debuts off a bullet work and merits attention. (3) Somebody Loves Me should be tougher in a claimer. (2) Rolleston adds blinkers and should be a contender. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 5-7. Exactas: 5-7 over 2-3 and 2-3 over 5-7.

4th race – (3) Oncoming Train was second at this level last time and can notch a victory in this field. (1) Atras drops in class and should handle the switch to dirt. (8) Jesuit returns to the main track, where he posted his maiden win. (9) Trainer Please might respond to a surface switch. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-8-9. Doubles: 1-3-8-9 with 1-2-4-7.

5th race – (4) Absolute Love (A) won by 15 last time over this track. Will be hard to beat if he can duplicate that try. (7) Northern Diamond seeks a third straight win and should be the main rival. (2) Mohaylady could be competitive in this field. (1) Awesome Indra will welcome some class relief. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-7. Exactas: 4-7 over 1-2 and 1-2 over 4-7.

8th race – (2) West Will Power missed by a neck and work out a winning trip from the rail. (3) Intrepid Heart was second in his last four starts and seems the best bet to complete the exacta. (7) Ethical Judgement fits in nicely with this group. (5) Helium should improve back on dirt.  Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-5-7. Doubles: 2-3-5-7 with 3-7-8-12.

9th race – (3) Ice Blast won by 7 in his last dirt race and gets top billing here. (7) Slicked Back will be a main threat if he can replicate his form on turf. (12) Haig Point worked quickly for this start. (8) Vasariano was hurt by a wide trip and should be a factor here. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-7-8-12.