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 – (6) Boutwell Time drops into a claimer and should handle this group. (8) Little Bit O Storm should be well-suited by dirt. (3) Blushing Kam is a firster to watch. (1) Combattante could be a threat from the rail. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-6-8.
3rd race – (7) Crusading comes off a nice maiden win at Saratoga and gets the nod here. (8) Dr Kingle takes a class drop and should be a main threat. (3) Papa Yo could respond to a surface switch. (9) Artwell fits in nicely here. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-7-8-9. Doubles: 3-7-8-9 with 1-4-5. Pick 3: 3-7-8-9 with 1-4-5 with 2-3-4-6.
4th race – (5) Enclosure was an easy winner at Ellis Park and looks best here. (1) America’s Vow gets some class relief after running in the Grade 1 Alabama. (4) Lexa can use some help from a quick pace. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-5. Double: 1-4-5 with 2-3-4-6.
5th race – (4) Brunch Punch has been away since January but is training smartly for her comeback. (3) Pula should be formidable in a claimer. (6) R Disaster looked great in a mud win but can handle a dry surface as well. (2) These Apples has late kick and can contend. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-4-6.
8th race – (4) Evanescence closed fast in her debut to finish second. Makes amends here. (5) Taverna should be the main threat. (2) Purple and Gold is training forwardly for her initial start. (3) First Class Lady cannot be overlooked in this field. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-4-5.