Buy TicketsBy 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.
1st race – (3) Bourbon Life goes up a notch but chases a third straight win and is the pick here. (1) Vittorio takes a big class drop and should be a threat. (5) Harvard is worth a look off the Maker claim. (4) Cashmeup may do better on a dry track. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-4-5.
3rd race – (6) Winter Creek drops to a bottom level claimer and may wake up. (5) Man of Mischief should be a contender in this group. (1) Haunted Flame faces claimers for the first time and may have an edge. (8) Words of Fortune should find the competition easier here. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-5-6-8.
5th race – (5) Sharper Gal was third at Saratoga and has an edge here. (1) Sombra Dorada has speed and the rail and should be the main rival. (2) Teardrop Tiara comes off a maiden win and deserves a look. (9) Elliott Moon may loom a threat from the outside post. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-5-9.
7th race – (1) Tiger Division rallied for second and should work out a winning trip from the rail. (2) Fearless Lady was third last time and can move forward here. (4) Ez Tree Ates may appreciate two turns. (7) Carolina Smokeshow can make her presence felt in this group. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-4-7. Doubles: 1-2-4-7 with 1-4-7-9.
8th race - (1) Bourbon Serengeti drops back into a claimer and can control the race from the rail. (7) Romantic Dancer steps up off a lopsided maiden win and claim. (9) Bella Haze gets a turf-to-dirt switch and may respond. (4) Gourmet has speed and could hang around until the end. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-7-9.