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 – (1) Big Dig takes a big class drop and looks best in this field. (5) Malibu Smart can wake up after the Rivelli claim. (7) Salsalita Verde returns to a claimer and will be a main threat. (6) Catherine Blaze may wake up on dirt. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-5. Exactas: 1-5 over 6-7 and 6-7 over 1-5.
3rd race – (5) Guana Cay was second in her last dirt race and should handle this field. (2) Vitaemi deserves a look off the Diodoro claim. (3) Hashtag Winner will welcome the stretchout in distance. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-5. Doubles: 2-3-5 with 4-6-7-10.
4th race – (6) Baraye has plenty of speed and may not look back here. (7) Big Dreamer was a promising third in her debut and should be the main rival. (10) Smiling Ellie was third as the favorite last time and cannot be ignored. (4) Innocent Nyght should move forward off a good debut. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-6-7-10.
7th race – (5) Dash Attack was third in a Grade 2 stakes and will enjoy some class relief here. (3) Injunction should move forward off his 2023 debut on turf. (6) Twilight Blue has been away but is working nicely for his comeback. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-5-6. Doubles: 3-5-6 with 1-2-7-8.
8th race – (1) Clever Thought should enjoy the distance and a rail trip. (2) Hilliard missed by a nose last time and will be the main rival. (7) Swore exits a sharp maiden win and cannot be overlooked. (8) Idratherbeblessed has speed and could be tough to catch here. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-7-8.