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 – (5) Modern Day Warrior is working nicely for his debut and merits the nod here. (9) Quebrancho was second last time and should be the main threat. (6) Sharp Shot might perk up in a claimer. (12) Erasmus looms a late threat in this field. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 5-6-9-12.
4th race – (2) Harrodsburg has not raced since July but seems on edge for a strong effort. (11) Wicked Again should respond positively to a class drop. (3) Figlio Del Re has speed and could be tough to catch. (8) Abadin should be competitive in a claimer. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-8-11. Doubles: 2-3-8-11 with 3-5-10-12.
5th race – (5) Royal Wintour comes off a strong maiden win and can make it two in a row here. (3) Modern Sound will appreciate a return to turf. (12) Kalispera fits in nicely but landed a bad post. (10) Just Better won her last and cannot be ignored. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-5-10-12.
8th race – (5) Suncroft moves over to dirt and seems bred for it. (3) Classic Legacy closed fast for second and should be the main threat. (11) Tunisian Spring could be hard to reel in. (1) Bramito will benefit from a rail trip. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-5-11. Doubles: 1-3-5-11 with 2-3-4-7.
9th race – Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) – (4) Master of The Seas won the Breeders’ Cup Mile last year and seems on edge for a winning 2024 debut. (2) Emmanuel returned from a break with a graded stakes win and looks like a top contender. (3) Naval Power is another European who should be formidable. (7) Du Jour ships in from California for Baffert and will be dangerous on his best try. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-4-7.