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) Usha has been drilling smartly for her debut and can win at first asking. (3) McKechnie is another firster with plenty of potential. (6) Thought Process merits consideration in this field. (1) Proud Starlet will benefit from a rail trip. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-4-6.
5th race – (4) Legitimate put in a bullet gate work for this and has an interesting pedigree for turf. (9) Cardinal Spirit might improve on turf. (5) Brumell should not be overlooked in this field. (7) Sabertooth is worth a look while moving to turf. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-5-7-9.
7th race – (5) Elm Drive returns to the West Coast and seems set for a strong effort. (1) Antifona looks like the one to fear from the rail. (8) Runninwiththeboyz could be hard to catch here. (7) Ever Smart will welcome a return to turf. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-5-7-8. Doubles: 1-5-7-8 with 1-4-5.
8th race – (4) Arabian Knight seems poised for a strong 2024 debut. (5) Newgrange can bounce back from a weak try last time. (1) Express Train had a helpful prep for this. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-5.
10th race – (8) The Chosen Vron seeks a sixth straight win and deserves top billing here. (7) Happy Jack was second to the top pick two starts ago and should be the main threat here as well. (9) Jackstown is 2-for-2 and will be tested for class here. (6) Closethegame Sugar heads west after two Churchill Downs stakes wins and cannot be ignored. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 6-7-8-9.