Keeneland Hotlist - April 2

Today’s Keeneland Hot List races to watch
Friday, April 2, 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 – (2) Dream Fly figures to start the long-awaited 2021 Keeneland spring meet on a familiar note: with a 2-year-old winner trained by Wesley Ward. A couple of bullet works indicate she should be able to set the pace throughout from the rail. (3) Bohemian Frost is also working sharply for her debut and might be the one to fear. (8) An Apple a Day also seems poised for a nice effort. (4) Offaly Fast does indeed look like a fast one who should be a threat here. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-4-8.

4th race - (6) Beautiful Memories was highly regarded at 2 but never lived up to it other than her debut Maybe she’ll reach her potential at 3. (4) Carribean Caper was a highly impressive debut winner at Fair Grounds and should be the main rival. (1) Divine Comedy could be a factor while turning back from two turns. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-6.

7th race – (8) Fauci had a solid 2-year-old campaign and seems ready to start 2021 on a winning note. (4) Blameworthy has a nice turn of speed and is worth a look on turf. (3) Chasing Artie will also be part of the pace scenario and is talented enough to hang around until the finish. (5) Smokin’ Jay is worth a look in his first try on turf. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-5-8.

9th race – The Grade 3 Kentucky Utilities Transylvania Stakes - (1) Scarlett Sky rallied from far back to just miss in a Gulfstream Park stakes. Seems well-spotted here from the rail in an opening day Grade 3 stakes. (4) Fire At Will won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf last year but flopped in a dirt stakes Might need this race to return to top form. (6) Earls Rock ships in from California and has the kind of late kick that will make him dangerous here. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exactas: 1-4-6. Doubles: 1-4-6 with 3-4-6-9.

10th race – (9) Precipitate should appreciate a stretchout to two turns and seems ready to kick off a big meet for Chad Brown. (3) Temper Mint Twist should also welcome the added distance here. (6) Suki took a nice step forward last time and is worth a long look here. (4) Be Like Water was second in both career starts and should be in the picture here. Betting strategy: 9 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-6-9.