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 – (1) Kissed by Fire just missed last time and may make amends here. (6) Make It Snow should be closing fast at the end. (2) Christina’s Candy is worth a look here. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-6.
3rd race – (3) Court Snort disappointed last time but can rebound here. (6) Primrose Ridge gets some class relief after racing in a stakes. (4) She’s Resilient may like turf. (2) Minedandrefined will fare better at this shorter distance. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-6. Exactas: 3-6 over 2-4 and 2-4 over 3-6.
5th race – (1) Pegs A.K. Girl should control the pace and the race from the rail. (9) Zeyaraat shapes up as the main rival. (7) Dendera will be pleased to be back on turf. (3) Built Different fits in nicely here. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-7-9. Doubles: 1-3-7-9 with 2-3-4-7.
6th race – (2) Will Be was a promising second in his debut and looks best in this spot. (3) Mixto looks sharp for his 2023 debut. (4) Bad Sneakers also is working nicely after a long layoff. (7) Broadway Unions will be a factor in the late stages. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-4-7.
8th race – (4) Foreign Influence will be best served by the cutback in distance. (5) Burton Way adds blinkers and will be formidable. (6) Captain Sparrow may find smooth sailing on dirt. (1) Emerald Union could perk up in a claimer. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-5-6.