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 – (3) Hanalei Bay was second in his debut. Gets Gaffalione and graduates today. (11) Modica tired in his debut and may improve off that effort. (4) Smokey Smokey was also second in his debut and should like the longer distance. (5) Frontline Warrior was an even third in his debut and seems capable of a better try here. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-5-11.
4th race – (1) Fearless Soldier has a nice turn of speed and may be hard to catch here. (12) Our Dream Rye’d will be a factor if he can overcome the post. (8) Tulchan has never been worse than third in four career starts and belongs in the exotics. (3) Winston Wolf flopped as a favorite but can rebound here. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-8-12.
5th race – (6) Block Trade debuts for Brown and seems best in this field. (7) Talonnade had a useful debut and will be the main threat. (11) Savannamarie has interesting breeding for turf. (4) Pendulum may swing into action here. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-6-7-11.
7th race – (8) Swore was third by only a neck at Saratoga and was moved up to 2nd through a DQ. Makes amends for that setback here. (1) The Jackal will be dangerous from the rail. (3) Qualified should be closing at the end. (6) Fast Chad has some appeal in this field. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-6-8.
10th race – (4) Safeen has two wins in her last three starts and looks best here. (5) Mrs. Astor should be helped by the longer distance. (8) Flashy Gem is worth a look while stretching out. (1) Callie’s Grit gets back on turf and could take a step forward. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-5-8.