Keeneland Hotlist - October 18

Today’s Keeneland Hot List races to watch
Sunday, Oct. 18, 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.

3rd race – (1) Blue Paynt just missed by a neck last time and should be well-suited by the mile distance. (3) Ketchikan was third in her debut and could move forward off that try. (4) Pharoah’s Gold might wake up on dirt. (7) Solemn Oath is worth a look in a claimer. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-4-7.

5th race - (6) Lake Nakuru (C) dropped from 10-1 to 7-1 then was bumped at the start and rallied four wide while finishing a close third. Should make amends here. (4) Picasso looks like the one to catch in this spot. (5) Bakers Boy exits a sharp maiden win and cannot be ignored. (1) In Love had a troubled trip in his U.S. debut and will be a factor here. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-5-6.

6th race – (6) Tiwanaku is a Tapit firster from Asmussen who seems poised for a big effort. (3) Beatbox debuts for Brown and looks like the one to fear. (5) Inspector Frost showed little in his debut but could perk up here. (8) War Machine seems ready for a strong effort in his debut. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-5-6-8.

8th race – (2) Blame Debbie has a strong late kick and should relish the added distance here. (5) Siberian Iris should be able to handle the distance and be a main factor. (3) Over Thinking fits in nicely against this bunch. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-5. Doubles: 2-3-5 with 5-6-7-8.

9th race – (7) Southern Passage (A) closed fast from far back to miss by a nose. Faces MSW company but should emerge with his first win. (5) Thrown for a Loupe returns to dirt and should be a major threat. (6) Warrior in Chief seems on edge for a big effort in his debut. (8) Sound the Charge figures to be a main factor in his debut. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 5-6-7-8.