By 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 4^th or worse
* - 4 or more betting notches if 11-1 or more.

1st race – (3) Bledsoe makes his debut in the Keeneland opener and seems poised to add to Ward’s great record with 2-year-old firsters. (4) Baytown Admiral put in a bullet work over the track and could be the main threat. (6) Early Munny might be a factor here. (8) Vitement has displayed speed in his works and may be a factor. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-6-8. Doubles: 3-4-6-8 with 2-9-10-11.

2nd race – (2) Contrive is a firster from Pletcher who should be ready for a big effort. (11) Upper Case was second on synthetics and should be well-suited by dirt. (10) Active Lane looks interesting in this spot. (9) Forenoon was third in her debut and can move forward here. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-9-10-11.

4th race – (7) Hurricane Dream rallied belatedly in his U.S. debut in the Pegasus but should work out a winning trip here. (1) Fancy Liquor will welcome a return to turf. (4) Duke of Hazzard hasn’t raced since October but is working sharpy for his comeback. (6) Eons should be closing fast at the end. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-6-7.

7th race – (3) Hejazi ships in from California for Baffert and looks best in this spot. (5) Corona Bolt was an impressive front-running winner and should be the main foe. (2) Lugan Knight didn’t fire on a muddy track. Can bounce back here. (4) Determinedly will welcome the turnback to a sprint. Betting strategy: 3  to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-4-5.

8th race – (11) Carl Spackler (A) was an impressive maiden winner and seems capable of making the jump to stakes company. (4) Wonderful Justice is undefeated in two starts for Cox and should be the main rival. (12) Dude N Colorado will need a sharp burst of speed to overcome a bad post. (2) Webslinger had some trouble and is worth a look with the top contenders parked on the outside. Betting strategy: 11 to win, place.  Exacta box: 2-4-11-12.