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) Sumter has been running in graded stakes and has a class edge here. (4) Exaulted disappointed last time but can rebound here. (3) Watsonville has been away since December but is working nicely. (5) Bran should like the added distance. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-4-5.
3rd race – (5) Cornelia Fort has sharp late speed and should reel in the leaders. (4) Kelly’s Out comes off a nice maiden win. (8) Sunset Glory won her last and will be a threat here. (10) Abhita drops in class after running in a stakes. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-5-8-10. Doubles: 4-5-8-10 with 1-2-3-7.
4th race – (2) Casalu debuts for Baffert and looks best here. (7) Acquitted also makes her first start and should be the main rival. (1) Oveta’s Hobby acts like a promising firster from Sadler. (3) Clapping Trees should benefit from her initial start. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-3-7
7th race – (1) Miss Lizzy comes off a sharp stakes win and gets the nod here. (5) Ag Bullet can rebound with a better effort. (7) Richi had a promising U.S. debut for Baffert. (9) Lunar Impact can make some noise here. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-5-7-9.
11th race – (4) Rastaman Vibe had a rough trip last time and can make amends this time. (1) British Isles will benefit from a rail trip. (5) Size Does Matter cannot be overlooked. (6) Moonlit Sonata could shine here. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-5-6.