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 – (3) Tingus Pingus should be able to lead throughout in this field. (5) Mischief Mania drops to a level where he can cause some trouble. (7) Perfect Audible should be a factor back in a claimer. (2) Smols comes off a win and can handle the bump in claiming price. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-5-7. Doubles: 2-3-5-7 with 1-4-5.
2nd race – (5) Brooklynn Drew can make it two wins in a row in this field. (4) Mom’s Cheesecake comes off a narrow win and looms a main theat. (1) Mezcalifornia should get a look off the Weaver claim. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-5.
4th race – (3) Quatrocento was last seen in a Grade 1 stakes and has a class edge here. (5) Epic Ride is the one to fear. (6) Emmanuel comes off a stakes win and belongs in the exotics. (7) Paros may pose a late threat. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-5-6-7.
6th race – (8) Into the Beast has some speed and may like the shorter distance. (6) Magic Brew looks like an interesting firster. (2) Midnight Rocket should benefit from his debut. (1) Himothy looks like a promising runner. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-6-8.
8th race – (8) Liberty Valance rallied for second in his debut and could pull off a heist here. (11) Grand Slam Sam was also second and looms the main threat. (12) Carson Street should be in the picture at the end. (9) Apollo Eleven may improve with blinkers. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 8-9-11-12.