Keeneland Hotlist - April 16

Today’s Keeneland Hot List races to watch
Friday, April 16, 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.

4th race – (3) Deferred Taxes rallied for second in his career debut for Chad and seems poised for a win here. (4) Shaldag was third in his last two starts and could be closer here. (2) Accredit might prefer turf to a synthetic surface. (7) Boss Is a Pal should get some consideration in his career debut. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4. Exactas: 3-4 over 2-7 and 2-7 over 3-4.

6th race - (2) Factor This drops out of graded stakes company and should welcome the class relief. (1) Master Piece seems ready for a solid 2021 debut. (6) Admiralty Pier should be part of the early pace and could have a big say in the outcome. (7) Talk Or Listen will be a threat in the stretch. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2. Exactas: 1-2 over 6-7 and 6-7 over 1-2. Doubles: 1-2-6-7 with 4-5-7-10.

7th race – (10) Wora (A) was an impressive debut winner and can make it two in a row here.  (5) Therideofalifetime tired in a stakes to end his 2-year-old season and seems ready to start 2021 the right way. (4) Subsidize disappointed in a Laurel stakes but can bounce back here. (7) Red Ghost has put in some sharp works for his first race since September and can be a factor here. Betting strategy: 10 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-5-7-10.

9th race – (6) Speech was a Grade 1 winner last year and seems ready for a big effort here. (4) Eres Tu will appreciate the cutback to seven furlongs. (5) Bonny South faced top competition last year but may want more distance. (1) Royal Flag rarely turns in a bad effort and should not be ignored. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-6. Exactas: 4-6 over 1-5 and 1-5 over 4-6. Doubles: 1-4-5-6 with 1-3-6-7.

10th race – (3) Mubtadaa was a useful fourth while sprinting in his debut and should be helped by a stretchout to two turns. (6) Scarlet Fusion was second or third in his last three starts and should be the main threat. (7) Alpha Predator could be well-suited by turf. (1) Rustler has sharp early speed and will benefit from a rail trip. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-6-7.