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 – (3) Decapo comes off a front-running win and can handle this field. (1) Hothead exits a win off a long layoff and will be helped by an inside trip. (4) I’m Otter Here should be closing nicely at the end. (7) Burning Rubber was a solid second last time. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-4-7.
3rd race – (2) Her Names Charlie was a promising second in her career debut on turf and should get the win here. (1) Tausret may like turf. (3) Candy Cole was fourth in a dirt stakes in her debut. (6) Golden Bee is worth a look in this field. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-3-6.
5th race – (1) Penny Worth takes a big class drop and should prove best. (2) Forgotten Memories was a distant second at this level and may be the main rival. (3) Dancing With Shari will be competitive in this group. (8) Blame It On Abby should be in the picture here. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-3-8.
7th race – (11) Start the Ride should be able to work out a win despite the outside post. (8) Pavlovian rebound back in Cal-bred company. (3) King’s Ride could be a factor in his stakes debut. (4) Lit was a promising debut winner. Betting strategy: 11 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-8-11. Doubles: 3-4-8-11 with 3-5-6-11.
8th race - (3) Helping Hand had a tough trip when fourth in her debut. Cam make amends here with more ground. (6) Volcanologist was second last time and should be the main rival. (5) Grazeninthegrass was third last time. Could be a gas here. Can you dig it, baby? (11) Impressionistic can make an impression here. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-5-6-11.