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) Showers debuts for Baffert and can win at first asking. (1) So There She Was was second in a Churchill Downs stakes and is the one to fear. (3) Acquitted can benefit from her career debut. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-6.
3rd race – (4) Manitowish gets a boost from returning to the main track. (6) For All Mankind looks dangerous despite the long layoff. (5) Corso’s Pick could be the right choice here. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-5-6.
5th race – (1) Nooni won by a pole in her debut and looks best here. (4) Vodka With a Twist won a stakes in the mud at Churchill Downs and looks like the main foe. (5) White Sands will get tested for class here. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-5.
7th race – (1) Style Cat was third last time and can take a step forward from the rail. (10) War Is Hell seems ready for a sharp effort in his first try. (6) Prince Dolce seems better than his dull debut. (4) Charmz Away is worth a look in this field. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-6-10. Doubles: 1-4-6-10 with 1-2-3.
8th race – (2) Anisette seeks a third straight win and shapes up as the one to beat. (3) Fuente Ovejuna won a stakes at Horseshoe Indianapolis and merits some attention here. (1) Uncorked will benefit from a rail trip. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-3.