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) Role Play has speed from the rail and should respond to a big class drop. (3) Royal Retinue is an interesting claim by Casse. (8) Ensley was second at this level and cannot be ignored. (7) Miss Jenna may prefer turf. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-7-8.
3rd race – (7) Fantasy World showed early speed in her debut on Tapeta. May like dirt better. (2) Miss Magical could wake up at this level. (1) Cassadaga might contend in her debut. (5) Uni Merla may be a factor at this level. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-5-7.
5th race – (8) McMullen was fourth at this level and might improve off a claim and a switch to Saez. (3) Final Payment should be the main competition. (7) Sweet Lazarus may hang around until the end. (2) Stop Being Greedy should like the shorter distance. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-7-8.
7th race – (3) Sweetcity was second in her debut in a similar spot and gets the nod here. (6) Street Sue steps up off a sharp try and should be a factor. (7) Don’t Do It Lucy is an interesting first-time starter. (1) Groovy N Gray will benefit from a rail trip. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-6-7.
9th race – (1) Rocketeer has the rail and should like the distance. (7) Dune Road missed by a neck and may complete the exacta. (5) Arabian Prince figures to be a threat in this group. (4) Joey Muscles deserves a look here. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-5-7.