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) Castle Island takes a big class drop and can handle this field on his best try. (1) Big Paper seeks a third straight win and will be formidable. (7) Texas Red Hot is worth a look off a claim. (2) Masteroffoxhounds may hang on in this group. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-3-7.
3rd race – (6) Bob’s Carrot may improve on a dry track. (7) Focusyn should be tough off the Dutrow claim. (5) Forty Love fits in well here. (2) Pulgarcito takes a big class drop and will be a factor. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-5-6-7.
5th race – (7) Night Kiss seeks a fourth straight win and looks best here. (1) De’ Ans Eighty should be closing fast at the end. (3) Tiffany Twist may work out a good trip here. (6) Abitibi may perk up in this field. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-6-7.
7th race – (3) Smokey Mandate was a good second last time and looks best in this field. (4) Miranda Rights missed by a nose last time and should pose the biggest threat. (6) Poster will welcome a return to turf. (7) Judge Davis should be arriving on the scene in the final furlong. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-6-7.
10th race – (8) Drop Shot made up ground late last time and should work out a win here. (5) Thailand cannot be ignored in this field. (6) Zepelin is an interesting firster. (11) Apache One Six is prepping nicely for his debut. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 5-6-8-11.