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 – (2) Penalty Box has improved in each start and seems poised for a win here. (4) Westwood exits stakes company and looms the main threat. (6) Ballyhooligan could be a contender here. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4-6. Doubles: 2-4-6 with 1-3-5.
2nd race – (5) Sweet Azteca has enough speed to control the pace throughout. (3) Formula Rossa will be dangerous while making her stakes debut. (1) Chismosa will be better suited by dirt. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-5.
4th race – (3) Lady Aberdeen has been freshened after a big win and gets the nod here. (7) Pocket Venus comes off a big maiden win and deserves respect. (1) Sei Bella will benefit from a rail trip. (4) Approval Rating should be helped by a surface switch. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-4-7. Doubles: 1-3-4-7 with 1-6-9-10.
5th race – (9) Channel Place seems to have nice breeding for turf. (10) Miss Donna was a good third on turf in her debut and is the one to fear. (1) Umbralle deserves a long look here. (6) Camila Catalina may like turf. Betting strategy: 9 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-6-9-10.
7th race – (3) Mendelssohns Angel was a good third in her debut and should work out a winning trip here. (7) Sacred Sound broke slow and rallied for fourth. Will be a main threat with a better trip. (9) Buzz the Tower may improve in her second start. (5) Fly Ay Knight is working nicely for his comeback. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-5-7-9.