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) Carcar Express takes a big class drop and may wake up at this level. (2) Fitzgerald was second at this level and deserves consideration. (6) Weekend Reveille is capable of a better effort here. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-6.
3rd race – (7) Get her Number seeks a fifth straight win and merits top billing. (2) Air of Defiance has been no worse than third in seven of eight starts and should be the main rival. (4) Nation could be a factor in this field. (1) Highly Flammable has speed and will be helped by a rail trip. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-4-7.
5th race – (3) Heaven’s Bolt should welcome a return to dirt. (4) Glazin’ Fury won at this level and is the one to fear. (5) Clap Back can make some noise in this field. (6) Freaks Go cannot be ignored at this level. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-5-6.
7th race – (2) Pop Rox is in sharp form and looks best in this field. (5) Talkin in Cursive can bounce back with a better try here. (6) Margoinabubblebath comes off a nice win and should be a key factor. (4) Miranda’s Rocky will be helped by a fast pace. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4-5-6.
9th race - (3) Silent Heart should be helped by a stretchout to a mile. (8) Judge Davis looks like the main rival. (2) Legalize belongs in the exotics. (5) Smokey Mandate fits in nicely here. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-5-8.