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 – (2) Horse of the Sea moves into a claimer and should prove best here.(4) Western Warrior should find easier competition in this field. (5) Section is another threat among the dropdowns. (7) Herbs Bolt may appreciate the two turns. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4-5-7. Doubles: 2-4-5-7 with 1-3-5.
2nd race – (5) Vertrauen takes a class drop and finds a group he can handle. (3) Shipman has speed and could be hard to catch in a small field. (1) Beezer will be helped by a rail trip. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-5.
4th race – (4) Dr. Saikali could find a new home on turf. (1) Maki Monarchy may wake up in a claimer. (3) Message of Hope looks like the one to catch here. (8) Ice Wolf should be closing nicely at the end. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-4-8.
6th race – (1) Sonhador has a nice closing kick and will benefit from some added ground. (5) Strong Destiny will welcome a return to dirt. (7) Sensing Flatter missed by a neck and cannot be ignored. (6) Absolute Honor fits in well with this field. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-5-6-7.
8th race – (5) Mega Magic may wake up after a dismal try last time. (3) Nudge gets a class drop and surface switch and could be the main rival. (2) Fielding exits a big maiden win at Laurel and merits attention. (1) Escalation Clause should be a threat despite the layoff. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-3-5.