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 – (5) Permed gets back on turf and merits top billing here. (2) Lite It Up Louie is an interesting first-time starter. (3) Spiritual Lady should thrive on turf. (6) Sotona had trouble in her debut and deserves a second chance. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-5-6. Doubles: 2-3-5-6 with 4-8-9-12.
2nd race – (4) Dirbas was washed off the turf in his debut and is worth a long look here. (8) British Sea missed by a nose in his debut and looms as the one to fear. (9) Vivaldi could be a factor in his career debut for Brown. (12) Double Your Money was third in his debut and can move forward here. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-8-9-12.
4th race – (6) Lilac Girl was second after a long layoff and should take a step forward in this spot. (7) Pawky missed by a neck last time and could be the main rival. (11) Frontal Attack may turn in a bounce-back effort here. (1) Lemon Bomb might explode from the rail. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-6-7-11.
7th race – (7) King’s Secret woke up with a solid third last time and should graduate from the maiden ranks today. (8) Hola Gata missed by a neck and figures to be the main rival. (2) Le Beau fell short by a neck last time but has not raced since March. (4) Frothy was an improved second and cannot be ignored in this spot. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4-7-8.
12th race – (2) Red Knight was third in a Grade 1 stakes last time and likes this course. Merits top billing here. (3) Verstappen will be dangerous on his best try. (4) Santin was second in the Arlington Million and belongs in the exotics. (11) Therapist has blossomed since the Maker claim and will be a major factor here. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-4-11.