Keeneland Hotlist - October 23

Today’s Keeneland Hot List races to watch
Friday, Oct. 23, 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.

1st race – (5) Cantrell Hill (B) missed by a nose last time and should register a victory  here. (3) Makabim may respond to a stretchout to two turns. (1) Morning Social prefers turf but can be effective at this level. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-5. Doubles: 1-3-5 with 1-2-5.

2nd race - (5) Bold Article (C) took late money and dipped from 8-5 down to 6-5  and posted a game victory on the front end. Should be formidable here against winners. (1) Moonshine Dancing won her debut and cannot be discounted here. (2) Sunny Isle Beach may perk up on the main track. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-5.

4th race – (7) Misspell (C) took plenty of betting action in dropping from 3-2 to 6-5 and posted a gritty maiden win and looks best here. (1) Cecile’s Chapter was competitive in stakes company and is the one to fear. (12) Betcha by Golly could wow this field if she can overcome the post. (10) Magnetism has enough speed to be a major contender. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-7-10-12.

6th race – (9) Color of Dawn (A) lost by a neck in her debut and will register a maiden win. (5) La Pulcinela seems set for a solid effort in her debut. (8) Zoom Up is also training forwardly and deserves respect in her debut. (1) Be Like Water could find smooth sailing from the rail. Betting strategy: 9 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-5-8-9. Doubles: 2-3-6 with 1-2-9-10.

8th race – (1) Prioritizer (D) took a big hit from 3-1 all the way down to 3-2 then was bumped at the start. He still managed to reach the front but weakened in the stretch. Like his chances to hang on here off the Hess claim. (9) Backshot merits attention in a claimer. (4) Dust Devil will be quite formidable in a  claimer. (5) Boating Party won impressively at Prairie Meadows and could be a main factor here. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-5-9.