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 – (2) Battle Drum adds blinkers and cuts back in distance. Looks best here. (1) Awesome Empire should be a factor in his debut. (7) Madroc has been absent since June but is working nicely. (3) Nabers is another interesting firster. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-3-7.
3rd race – (2) Skull Honor has a nice late kick and can handle this field. (7) Oz should respond to a class drop. (1) Rocketum can be a threat in his debut. (3) Winegold may prefer Tapeta. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-3-7. Doubles: 1-2-3-7 with 3-4-6.
4th race – (3) Supreme Dominance has speed and may hang on in this field. (4) Bringer of Rain looks like the main threat. (6) Bold Looker is in a great form and will be a top contender. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-6.
7th race – (2) Breakwater has a strong late kick and should make a smooth transition to Tapeta. (6) Extrasexybigdaddee finds a level where he should thrive. (3) Clear Destination figures to make his presence felt late. (4) Drakon may respond to a class drop. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-4-6.
9th race - (1) Life’s Saga missed by a nose last time and makes amends here. (6) Buddhist Prodigy is a top threat in a claimer. (10) True Myth will enjoy a return to a claimer. (12) Lauroston will be a factor if she can overcome the outside post. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-6-10-12.