Preakness FULLCARD Hotlist - October 3

Today’s Pimlico Hot List full-card selections

Preakness Stakes Day
Saturday, Oct.  3, 2020

By Bob Ehalt and Matt Shifman

1st race – (8) Tic Tic Tic Boom had a rough, wide trip in a Monmouth stakes and closed fast to take third. Can prevail here with a better trip. (1) Fluffy Socks exits a sharp maiden win and will be dangerous here. (3) Invincible Gal was second ahead of the top pick last time and will be a main threat. (4) Domain Expertise may be a maiden but cannot be discounted given his connections.

2nd race - (1) Juliet Foxtrot has been running against some of the top grass fillies with moderate success of late. She should enjoy the class relief here. (3) She’sonthewarpath is in excellent form and should work out a great trip here. (8) Varenka will be a force in the stretch. (6) Storm the Hill will be troublesome if there’s no rust after a layoff.

3rd race – (6) Bronx Beauty comes off a decisive stakes win and seems poised for another big effort. (4) Liza Star will appreciate the six-furlong distance. (1) Chalon won this stakes last year and should be a factor in this spot. (3) Never Enough Time will be part of the early pace and can take home a big chunk of the purse.

4th race – (9) Princess Grace has won both career starts and should make it a hat trick. (11) Lucky Jingle could be dangerous off a layoff. (3) Caravel might appreciate the stretchout. (7) Vigilante’s Way chases a third straight win and could be hard to handle.

5th race – (5) Mundaye Call faded in the stretch of a seven-furlong stakes. She will hang on here at six furlongs. (1) Ain’t No Elmers will benefit from a rail trip and seems like the one to fear. (2) Wicked Whisper woke up last time and will be formidable in her third try after a layoff. (3) Fly On Angel has keen early speed and might be tough to catch.

6th race – (7) Factor This had a four-race win streak snapped in a Grade 1 stakes. He makes amends for that here. (3) Hembree will benefit from a fast pace and will be closing quickly at the end. (2) Somelikeithotbrown was rank last time and should bounce back to top form here. (5) Irish Strait makes his third start after a lengthy layoff and should be ready for a top effort.

7th race – (5) Landeskog ran huge off a big break in his first start for Cox. An encore of that effort will earn him a return trip to the winner’s circle. (7) Stan the Man was scratched from a Grade 1 stakes to  run here and looks like the one to fear. (4) Laki has the kind of speed that should make him formidable here. (1) Admiral Lynch was given a freshening after a big win and seems ready for another top effort.

8th race – (8) Hidden Enemy is a maiden but has run into some tough customers and could prove best here. (4) Kidnapped could be well-suited for turf and is worth a look. (3) Wootton Avenue cannot be overlooked in his U,S. debut. (7) Catman is another maiden who can make his presence felt.

9th race – (1) Chocolate Bar had a rough trip when he missed by a head at Kentucky Downs. From the rail, he seems well positioned for a winning effort. (10) Don Juan Kitten ran his heart out on the front end but was nailed on the wire. He’s the one to catch here. (7) Vanzzy didn’t care for soft going last time but can rebound on firm turf. (4) Reconvene seeks a third straight win and is definitely on an upswing.

10th race – (5) Bonny South rallied late to take second in the Alabama. A similar try should be enough to handle these. (7) Mizzen Beau may appreciate the switch back to dirt. (8) Hopeful Growth flopped in the Kentucky Oaks but can bounce back here. (11) Perfect Alibi fits with these but has a tough post. 

11^th race – The Preakness Stakes – (9) Authentic is trained by Bob Baffert, who owns a record-tying seven Preakness victories. This should be No. 8. All of Baffert’s Kentucky Derby winners have triumphed in the Preakness and Authentic will add to that list. (10) Pneumatic was a decent fourth in the Belmont Stakes and won a Monmouth stakes decisively. He might be able to pass some tired horses late and complete the exacta. (5) Thousand Words is also trained by Baffert. He can be whacky but on his best try he’ll be a major factor in the field. (3) Art Collector is talented but faces a tough task in running with Authentic early.

12^th race – (4) Iridesse A closed fast to lose by a nose last time. Looks like the best option in this stakes for Arabians. (7) Quick Sand Aa A comes off an impressive win and will be a tough rival. (12) Dance With Me Bw A beat the top pick by a nose and should be battling to the end. (3) Uptown Cruisedirector A will appreciate the shorter distance.