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) Naples Gal debuts for Mandella and seems ready for a big try. (1) Playscape could be a threat from the rail.(5) Madonna of Loreto could thrive on grass. (7) My Perfect Wave put in some nice works for this. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-5-7. Doubles: 1-3-5-7 with 1-4-6-7.
2nd race – (1) Joint Venture returns to a claimer and may not look back from the rail. (4) Leyas Candy is a threat off the stretchout. (7) Bright Leaf should improve off a class drop. (6) Mobou could be a factor with this group. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-6-7.
4th race – (8) Gem Mine comes off a decisive win and can make it two in a row here. (2) Excelia looks like the one to fear. (1) Headed for Om should be closing nicely at the end. (5) Just Nails cannot be ignored. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-5-8.
6th race – (5) Pioneer Prince should wake up in a claimer. (8) Tribal could be a contender off the Sadler claim. (2) Mighty Kai should be a threat in the final furlong. (4) Vorpal may be a threat in his first try for Hollendorfer. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4-5-8. Doubles: 2-4-5-8 with 2-5-6-8.
7th race – (5) Nanci Griffith has enough speed to lead throughout in this field. (2) Loretta Lynn drops out of stakes company and should be the main rival. (8) Dendera merits consideration off the Dollase claim. (6) Illhaveanotherkiss may appreciate the surface switch. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-5-6-8.