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 – (1) Bella Mendy was second the last two times and is overdue for a maiden win. (7) Stubold should pose a late threat. (4) Balala drops to a level where she should be competitive. (9) Gran Conquistadora may like Tapeta. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-7-9.
3rd race – (4) Better Than Better was second in her last turf start and gets the win here. (3) Vespera may wake up in a claimer. (8) Shancelicious should pose a threat from the outside. (5) Souper Amusing looks tough in a claimer. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-5-8.
5th race – (5) Iron Sword seems set for a big effort in his debut. (1) El Muchacho Alegre is worth a look in his Tapeta debut. (3) How About It could be a contender here. (6) Davola might be better on Tapeta. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-5-6.
7th race – (1) Space Launch can work out a winning trip from the rail. (4) Grand David was second last time and cannot be ignored. (2) Lights of Broadway fits nicely in this field. (6) Jerry’s Turn is a threat on his best try. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-4-6.
9th race - (2) Dream On set the pace in the Breeders’ Cup and may not look back here. (4) Mi Bago won big last time and looms as the main rival. (7) Hit That Review belongs in the exotics. (1) Bucaro will benefit from a rail trip. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-4-7.