Keeneland Hotlist - October 3

Today’s Keeneland Hot List races to watch
Saturday, Oct. 3, 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 – (1) Beaver Hat (B) didn’t turn in his usual tough effort while switching to turf last time. Returns to dirt here and should bounce back. (2) And Seek will also welcome a return to the main track. (4) Healing was claimed last time out by Amoss, who puts him back on dirt where he belongs. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-4.

4th race - (2) Tiz Splendid News (A) turned in a strong effort when she battled on the front end before losing by a nose. She makes amends here while stretching out on dirt. (5) Bellamore was a game second in her debut at Saratoga and should relish the added distance. (8) West Side Girl has never been worse than third in three career starts and belongs in the exotics. (1) Bahama Mischief will improve back on dirt. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-5-8. Doubles: 1-2-5-8 with 2-4-7-8.

5th race – (4) Public Information is a firster for Chad who seems ready for a solid effort in his debut. (7) Cheffy is also working in a good fashion for his first start and should not be ignored. (8) Grand Design is another first who has put in some promising works. (2) King’s Mischief could cause some trouble from the rail. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4-7-8.

9th race – (7) Calibrate won his debut at Saratoga in a manner that indicates he should not be fazed by two turns here. (4) Essential Quality also showed a lot of potential in a debut win and should be the main rival. (9) King Fury won around two tuns in his debut and will be dangerous here. (6) Dixie’s Two  Stents ships in from California after a weak effort. Perhaps he’ll show some heart here. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-6-7-9. Doubles: 4-6-7-9 with 6-7-8-9.

10th race – (8) Analyze It returned from a layoff of nearly two years with a strong, winning effort in a Grade 3 stakes. Look for him to take another big step forward here. (7) Flavius can complete an exacta for trainer Chad Brown. (9) Parlor disappointed at Kentucky Downs but he can rebound here. (6) Raging Bull will benefit from firm turf. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 6-7-8-9.