Skip to main content

Keeneland Select

Churchill Downs Hotlist - June 4

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 4th or worse
* - 4 or more betting notches if 11-1 or more.

1st race – (3) Unified Point put in some sharp gate works for his debut and looks best. (7) Yaqui Valley seems ready for a sharp effort in his debut. (4) Potential Spam is worth a look here. (2) West Saratoga was second last time and could be a factor here.  Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-6-7. Doubles: 1-3-6-7 with 1-5-6-8.

4th race – (6) Good Governance (B) was hurt by a wide trip and should make amends here. (1) Dominican Pioneer has speed from the rail and could be tough to catch. (4) Starting Over deserves attention in his debut for Maker. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-6. Doubles: 1-4-6 with 2-3-5-7.

5th race – (2) Outlier was third last time at this level and could take a step forward here. (5) Greener Pastures should be effective at this level. (7) Background will appreciate a return to dirt. (3) Eastside Cool fits in well at this level. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-5-7.

7th race – (4) Mo Strike rallied belatedly in his comeback race and seems set for a big effort. (2) Lugan Knight gets some class relief and looks like the one to fear. (5) Determinedly could be tough to catch in this spot. (7) Echo Again will be a factor on his best try. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4-5-7.

9th race – (5) New Year’s Eve has a strong late kick and should work out a winning trip. (2) Gam’s Mission was a game winner last time and should be the one to fear. (8) White Frost was third in the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley and cannot be ignored here. (4) Sweet Dani Girl has enough speed to be a main factor here. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place.  Exacta box: 2-4-5-8.

No.Letter/Last raceToday’s race  Comment     
(6)Good GovernanceB, 3/44 CDWas hurt by a wide trip last time