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 – (4) She’s Resilient has a good turn of speed and could control the pace and the race here. (1) Just a Little Luck will benefit from a ground-saving trip. (3) Bella Baby should work out a good trip here. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-4.
3rd race – (5) Oakhurst has been racing in graded stakes and has a class edge here. (1) Eddie’s New Dream will be aided by a rail trip. (6) Paris Peacock was second in her last two starts and should be in the picture once again. (2) Shared Future seems to have found her groove on turf. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-5-6. Doubles: 1-2-5-6 with 1-2-7-9.
4th race – (1) Cowboy Mike should appreciate the stretchout to two turns and break his maiden. (2) Ship and Scam was second last time and looks like the one to fear. (7) Coppertunity is worth a look in his career debut. (9) Big Baby was a troubled third in his debut and cannot be ignored. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-7-9.
6th race – (1) Azul Coast has been away since December but is working sharply for Baffert and gets the nod here. (4) Kiss Today Goodbye was third in a Grade 1 stakes and commands respect. (3) Rimprotector cannot be ignored in this field. (6) Order and Law will be a threat on his best try. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4. Exactas: 1-4 over 3-6 and 3-6 over 1-4.
8th race – (1) Mirahmadi was second in a stakes in his debut and gets the call here. (2) Tall Paul debuts for Baffert and could be a standout. (5) Raging Torrent seems set for a solid debut. (6) Rothschild could be posed for a strong effort. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-5-6.