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) Mighty Kai was second at this level last time and should get a win here. (7) Hard to Figure has speed and looks like the one to catch. (5) Cowboy Mike drops and merits a close look. (2) Habeas could be a factor in this group. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4-5-7. Doubles: 2-4-5-7 with 1-2-4.
2nd race – (2) Red Cherry put in a fast work for this and seems primed for a solid effort. (1) Peppermint Dash has been freshened since a debut win and looms a big factor here. (4) Strick By Her seems ready for a sharp try. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-4.
4th race – (8) Smart Code steps up off a game win and gets the nod here. (7) Gregory’s Pride fits in nicely with this group. (4) Doncic may rebound with a better effort. (6) Tom Seaver should appreciate a return to turf. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-6-7-8.
8th race – (1) Iriseach had some trouble at the start and still managed to finish second in a stakes. Can make amends from the rail. (4) Proletariat shapes up as the one to fear. (7) Tiz All That missed by a neck and seems ready for his stales debut. (11) Jordi Bear was sharp in his US debut but landed a tough post. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-7-11.
10th race - (9) Ulysses Rose had a rough trip in a stakes as a maiden and looks best here, (7) Goodies was third in both starts but may like the added distance. (2) Golden Hope has speed and an inside post and may shine here. (4) Pentle Bay cannot be overlooked in this field. Betting strategy: 9 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4-7-9.