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 – (2) Cameron Slough was second at this level and gets the win here. (1) Sweet Vengeance can improve off a weak race in a comeback effort. (4) Dorie Miller should benefit from the added distance. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-4. Doubles: 1-2-4 with 1-2-3.
2nd race – (2) Play My Speed was an improved second last time and should handle this field. (1) Fly At Knight may improve on dirt. (3) Practical Dazzle should be fine on dirt. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-3.
4th race – (4) Aloha Kitten will get a boost from returning to dirt and can handle this field. (6) Flatterwithjewels looks like the one to fear. (3) Sweet Hello has some speed and may hang around until the end. (1) Persuasive Lips could be helped by a class drop. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-4-6.
6th race – (6) Seismic Beauty lost by a neck in a solid effort and should graduate here. (7) Gate to Paradise has been freshened and seems set for a nice effort. (8) Nafisa has been away since November but cannot be ignored. (2) Dashingly has nice early speed and will be helped by an inside post. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-6-7-8.
8th race – (6) Dr. Ray D. takes a class drop and should handle the switch to dirt. (2) Just Is was third last time and should be the main rival. (1) Ryder’s Candy should be a contender from the rail. (3) Class Clown should fit in with these. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-3-6.