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 – (4) Bull Shoals ships in off two seconds at Saratoga and is overdue for a win. (1) Royal Rumor will be a main threat from the rail. (5) Going Nowhere can bounce back with a better try here. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-5.
3rd race – (5) Little King was a promising third in his debut and gets the nod. (7) Repo responded to a switch to dirt. (4) Scam Alert may like the added distance. (3) Is That You Wing deserves consideration against these. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-5-7.
5th race – (5) Sweet Azteca has won her last three starts and looks best here. (1) Thermal exits a huge win at Lone Star. (6) Sweet Gal of Mine may like a switch to dirt. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-5-6.
7th race – (2) Miso Phansy has a real good closing kick and should handle these. (7) Midnight Horizon figures to be closing fast in the stretch. (1) Goodies has some speed and the rail and may hang around until the end. (5) Yoga Master had a rough trip last time when seventh. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-5-7.
9th race - (2) Private Gem can work out a good trip in this field. (1) Nasty Habit steps up off a game win. (4) Del Mar Jerry has lots of speed and is a main threat. (6) Dhitjari drops in search of a winning spot. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-4-6.