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 – (6) Lease Instead took a nice step forward on turf last time and gets the call here. (7) Bell Bottom Blues is working nicely for her debut. (1) Rosa’s Miracle make like turf. (8) I’m Smoken Hot deserves a look here. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-6-7-8.
3rd race – (6) Sugar Reign was second at this level and seems best. (5) Lady Ruth has been competitive at this level. (4) Springline drops and cannot be ignored. (3) Melba Montgomery is a possibility here. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-5-6.
5th race – (8) Lil’s Coffee was a game second last time and may handle this field. (9) Birkin Girl ships in after a second at Indy. (3) Angelica Bay belongs in the exotics. (2) Cat the Confidante is dangerous on her best try. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-8-9.
7th race – (1) Redheaded Reba should benefit from a rail trip. (10) Syntax seems like the one to fear. (8) Miss Practical may be helped by a return to dirt. (5) Bessie Coleman cannot be overlooked. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-5-8-10 Doubles: 1-5-8-10 with 1-6-9-11.
8th race - (11) Zuraya has enough speed to overcome the outside post and control the race. (6) Astronomically may perk up in a claimer. (1) Sunny Creed may relish the added distance. (9) Velvet Reign could take a step forward in this field. Betting strategy: 11 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-6-9-11.