Buy TicketsFriday, Aug. 1, 2025
By Bob Ehalt and Matt Shifman
Hot List Key:
A : A preferred horse to watchB: 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) Time to Shine returns to turf and looks best here. (5) Upcharge should be a main threat. (6) Exington may pose a late threat. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-5-6.
3rd race – (7) Sendit Mo has looked fast in works and gets the nod here. (5) Proletariat seems bred for turf. (3) B G Bullet deserves some attention here. (1) In the Mix could be a threat against these. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-5-7.
5th race – (5) Ro Town could be hard to catch while stretching out. (7) Illhaveanotherkiss will welcome a return to turf. (2) Corporal Violette belongs in the exotics. (4) Empress Ellie fits in nicely here. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4-5-7.
7th race – (10) Curlin Command has not been worse than third in his last three starts and is overdue for win. (4) Big Bill may perk up here. (11) Zagreus has speed and could hang around until the end. (8) Shapoval may improve off the freshening. Betting strategy: 10 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-8-10-11. Doubles: 4-8-10-11 with 1-3-5-8.
8th race – (8) Stellar Cap does well at this level and seems on edge for a win. (5) Fun to Run should be a threat off the class drop. (3) Vegas Love cannot be ignored in this field. (1) Ryan’s Girl may benefit from a rail trip. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-5-8.