Keeneland Select Derby Prep Hot List - July 18

New York Hot List Kentucky Derby prep race picks

Saturday, July 18, 2020

By Bob Ehalt and Matt Shifman

The $1,000,000 Haskell Stakes (G1), Monmouth Park – race 12 – 5:48 pm ET

8th race – (1) Dr Post has made significant improvement in his last two starts with a stakes win at Gulfstream Park and a second in the Belmont Stakes (G1) behind the division leading Tiz the Law. Trainer Todd Pletcher is seeking his fourth win in the Haskell. Dr Post should get plenty of pace to set-up his late closing move. (2) Authentic tasted defeat for the first time in four starts in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) after losing to Honor A. P. He will make the initial start of his career outside of California. Authentic was listed at 4-5 odds on the morning line. Trainer Bob Baffert will be trying to win this race for the ninth time. Breaking from the rail, the son of Into Mischief is likely to try and get the jump on the other pace pressers in the field of seven. (7) Ny Traffic has two seconds and a third on the Kentucky Derby trail. Most recently, he had the lead in the stretch of the Matt Winn (G3) at Churchill Downs but was chased down late by the talented Maxfield. He retains the services of aggressive rider Paco Lopez. He will have to contend with Authentic in the early part of the race. (6) Lebda has four career wins which is more than any other horse in the field. He has two wins in listed stakes at Laurel Park where he is stabled. He appears to be a notch below the top two but is quite capable of finishing in the top three. Betting strategy: 1 to win. Exactas: 1 with 2, 6, 7. Trifecta part-wheel: 1 with 2, 6, 7 with ALL.