Churchill Downs Hotlist - June 2

Today’s Churchill Downs Hot List races to watch
Thursday, June 2, 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 –  (1) Curly Jack debuts for Amoss and seems poised for a big effort. (8) El Cerrito makes her first start for Asmussen and merits respect. (6) Mabuhay had a useful debut on turf and could move forward on dirt. (4) Perfect Prank is another firster who can make her presence felt. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-6-8. Doubles: 1-4-6-8 with 1-3-5-9. Pick 3: 1-4-6-8 with 1-3-5-9 with 5-8-9-12. Pick 4: 1-4-6-8 with 1-3-5-9 with 5-8-9-12 with 1-3-6-7.

3rd race – (5) Proud Union was second against similar company and should prove best here. (1) Levee Proud drops to a level where he should be effective. (3) Major Cam should be a threat in the final furlong. (9) Chrome’s Right will be dangerous if he takes kindly to dirt. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-5-9. Doubles: 1-3-5-9 with 5-8-9-12. Pick 3: 1-3-5-9 with 5-8-9-12 with 1-3-6-7.

4th race – (8) Twirling Patti missed by a head at this level last year and should get the job done today. (5) Devious could get crafty and work out a winning trip here. (12) Lady Mercedes has been away for 7 months and may return with a better showing than her debut. (9) Colonel Aby B will be a threat in the stretch. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 5-8-9-12. Doubles: 5-8-9-12 with 1-3-6-7.

5th race – (6) Pistol (B) was bumped at the start and still managed to register a maiden win. Can make it two in a row here. (7) Gorman has some speed and could be tough to catch in a claimer. (3) Believing will appreciate a dry track. (1) Epicurean will benefit from a rail trip in this spot. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 6-7. Exactas: 6-7 over 1-3 and 1-3 over 6-7.

8th race – (8) Social Dilemma (A) was bumped at the start and then was forced to rally very wide while finishing second. Makes amends here with the addition of blinkers. (5) Pharoah’s Heart was second in 4 of 6 starts and can complete the exacta again. (2) Thanozapper will welcome a return to dirt. (6) Minute Waltz is worth a look despite the layoff. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-5-6-8.