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.
2nd race – (3) Confucius takes a huge class drop from Baffert, but he wins at a good rate with this kind of move. (1) Ghost of Midnight is a firster who can be a threat here. (9) Snapp Daddy looms a stretch factor in this field. (12) Bendettijoe can rebound in this spot. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-9-12.
4th race – (8) Mt. Zeror adds blinkers and should appreciate the shorter distance. (11) South Coast Route was a good second last time and looms the main threat. (7) Heartbreak Kid adds blinkers and may respond to a class drop. (12) Austonian may hang on for a share in a weak field. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 7-8-11-12. Doubles: 7-8-11-12 with 3-4-5.
5th race – (5) Fun to Dream has lots of class and should revert to her winning form. (3) Microshare looks like the one to fear. (4) Yuki appears to be in top form. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-5.
7th race – (1) De Joria will welcome a return to a claimer and respond with a winning try. (9) Sareeha is worth a long after breaking her maiden. (11) Downburst will be a threat if she can overcome the outside post. (2) Katerini will appreciate the stretchout. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-9-11. Doubles: 1-2-9-11 with 1-2-3-8.
8th race – (2) Helen’s Sun had a forgettable debut and can turn in a better effort here with blinkers. (1) Potito could be hard to catch from the rail. (3) Special Club had a tough debut on turf. May like dirt. (8) Stolen Treasure may be a steal in this field. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-3-8.