Churchill Downs Hotlist - June 18

Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List races to watch
Saturday, June 18, 2022

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.

2nd race –  (6) Western River was fourth in the Peter Pan Stakes and should prove best in this modest field. (2) Full Charge might be a stretch threat at this distance. (3) Always Above is worth a look in this field. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-6. Doubles: 2-3-6 with 2-4-5-7.

3rd race – (4) General Strike drops into a claimer and should be tough to beat. (7) Smarty John has nice early speed and could be tough to catch. (5) Uncle Berley should be a contender off the Diodoro claim. (2) Master of Arms could wake up in a claimer. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-7. Exactas: 4-7 over 2-5 and 2-5 over 4-7.

5th race – (2) Society (A) won nicely after a layoff and can continue her winning ways here. (5) Miss Yearwood didn’t fire in a stakes but fits better here. (4) Imogene Malvina seeks a third straight win and merits respect. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4-5.

9th race – (9) Palace Coup drops after a layoff but is working out nicely for this start. (5) Lord Dragon promises to be a main threat in this field. (8) Zanesville disappointed last time but will be a factor on his best try. (1) Country Flats was second and might like a switch to dirt. Betting strategy: 9 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-5-8-9. Doubles: 1-5-8-9 with 2-7-8-9.

10th race – (7) Famed was third last time and put in a bullet work to prep for this. (2) Ontheonesandtwos enters off a pair of seconds and will be the main rival. (9) Tarabi should not be ignored in her 3-year-old debut. (8) Rain Check will welcome a dry track. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-7-8-9.