Thursday, July 31, 2025

By 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 4^th or worse
* - 4 or more betting notches if 11-1 or more.

1st race – (5)  Sumter missed by a head in a stakes last time. Seems ready for a nice effort after a layoff. (1) Virat has speed and the rail and could be tough to catch. (3) Sorrento Sky should be a main threat after a third in a stakes. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-5.

3rd race – (1) Druidic turned in a sharp effort last time and should prevail from the rail. (7) Super Ellie could pose a late threat. (9) Atomic Drop may respond to a return to turf. (3) McClusky should fare better on turf.  Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-7-9.

5th race – (2) Kikuride comes off a good second and can notch a victory here. (8) Quantum Innergy is worth a look off the Mullins claim. (10) Breve should be closing in the late stages. (1) True Patriot may like the added distance. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-8-10.

7th race – (2) Runamileinmyshoes is on good form and looks best in this field. (3) Paradise Lake should be a main threat. (4) Hopeful won her US debut and belongs in the exotics. (8) Rugelach has not raced since September but has back class. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-4-8. Doubles: 2-3-4-8 with 1-2-6-7.

8th race – (2) Lord Dunmore returns to a claimer and gets the nod here. (7) Pio Nono fits in nicely with this group. (1) Non Domicile could perk up for new connections. (6) Make It a Large is working nicely for a belated 2025 debut. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-6-7