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 – (4) Edgartown has been racing in stakes and gets some class relief here. (5) Sherif Ali faces tougher here but should like turf. (3) Oscar’s World looked good in a maiden win and fits well here. (7) Waitlist staged a nice rally in a debut win at Tampa. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-5-7.
4th race – (5) English Bob drops in class and should lead throughout. (2) Exchange Day is worth a look off the D’Angelo claim. (4) Exprompt changes barns and may wake up. (8) Tiz a Tale steps up off a sharp win. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4-5-8.
7th race – (7) Me and My Shadow is prepping for a strong effort in her first start in six months. (3) Lucky Combination exits a decisive maiden win and deserves a long look. (5) Holy Foley should be closing quickly at the end. (1) Texas Shuffle will benefit from a rail trip. Betting strategy: 10 to win, place. Exacta box: 5-7-9-12.
9th race – (2) Big Invasion missed by a neck in the Breeders’ Cup and starts 2024 with a victory. (6) Kanthari comes into his first stakes try off an impressive win. (8) Storm the Court can make his presence felt at the end. (7) Yes I Am Free has speed and could be tough to catch. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-6-7-8.
11th race – (10) John the Beer Man rallied belatedly in his debut and can atone here. (4) Devil’s Playground has speed and may not look back here. (2) Act of Mutiny missed by a neck at Keeneland and will be main contender. (12) I See You Lookin comes off a solid try but landed a rough post. Betting strategy: 10 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4-10-12.