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 4th or worse
* - 4 or more betting notches if 11-1 or more.
2nd race – (1) Little Frappucino returns to a sprint and may not look back from the rail. (5) Kentucky Bourbon should be a factor in the final furlong. (2) Back to Normal will welcome a return to dirt. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-5.
4th race – (2) Milieu gets back on turf and should respond with a big effort. (4) Callie’s Grit was a game second last time and might be the main threat. (7) Hola Gata is worth a look in her 2023 debut. (8) Words of Praise could have a big say on the outcome. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4-7-8.
6th race – (2) Sassy Walker (C) was bet down from 3-1 to 2-1 then led in midstretch only to weaken and finish fourth. No one catches her here. (8) Pelican Lane should benefit from her debut and be a main contender. (1) Chilled Fireball is threat from the rail. (3) Islandinthestream adds blinkers while switching to dirt for Amoss. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-3-8.
8th race – (10) Secret Money took a nice step forward in her second start and should handle these with continued improvement. (6) All That could be just that in this spot. (12) Osiria seems better suited here on turf. (3) Daisy Bee could sting the top choices. Betting strategy: 10 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-6-10-12.
11th race – (2) Bay Street Money was a good second in the Pan American Stakes and should prevail in this spot. (5) English Conqueror seems set for a big try here. (7) Therapist won the Pan American and will be hard to deny with a similar showing. (1) Limited Liability has a dangerous late kick. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-5-7.
No. | Letter/Last race | Today’s race | Comment | ||||||
(2) | Sassy Walker | C, 4/21 | 6 CD | Can move forward off debut |