By 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 and finished 1st through 3rd
*D: Went down 2 or more betting notches and finished 4th or worst
* - 4 or more betting notches if 11-1 or more.
1st race – (4) Better Than Gold was hurt by a wide trip last time and should have a better chance here. (1) Westwood was a troubled second and will be in the mix again. (9) Brazenly was a good third at Aqueduct and will be a contender here. (11) Legitimate was given a break after a big maiden win.
2nd race – (5) Plutarch returns to turf after running third in a Grade 1 on dirt. Looks best. (7) Later Than Planned has a nice closing kick and will be a factor. (8) Dr. Agne has been competitive in Kentucky graded stakes tests. (3) Itza Lock has speed and stretches out. Could hang around until the end.
3rd race - (7) Too Sassy stretches out after a nice win and should handle the assignment. (9) Mohaven may like the added distance. (12) Liberation was third behind the top two as the favorite. (4) Miss Kona returns from a sharp maiden win,
4th race – (7) Puro Magic has been competing in Graded stakes in Japan and has a class edge. (6) Shoot It True is on a roll with two straight wins. (4) Queen Maxima will benefit from a fast pace. (9) Great Venezuela rarely runs a poor one.
5th race – (9) Thirsty Rebel returns to dirt and can work out a winning trip. (6) Sammy Davis may star in this spotlight. (2) Ocean Bar seeks a third straight win and will be helped by the distance. (5) Can’t Help Myself may hang around until the end.
6th race – The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) - (9) True Love exits an overseas Group win for O’Brien and gets the call. (1) Brussels missed by a nose and will be helped by the longer distance. (8) Havana Anna was second to the top pick and will be in the picture again. (2) Military Code could be a factor if he breaks cleanly.
9th race – The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) - (8) Ted Noffey is undefeated at 3-for-3 and seems like the one to beat. (7) Brant is undefeated for Baffert and is the one to fear, (1) Intrepido broke his maiden and should get a great trip. (2) Blackout Terms was second to the top pick and cannot be ignored.
10th race – The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) - (2) Street Beast exits a quick stakes win at Kentucky Downs and gets the call. (14) Gstaad is another talented European who landed an awful post. (13) Hey Nay Nay looks like the one to catch on the front end. (3) Outfielder ran against Gstaad in France and should be poised for a big effort.