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) Dancin With Angels has sharp early speed and may not be caught. (5) Lucky Shot exits a winning effort and merits attention. (1) Twirling Roses will benefit from a rail trip. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-5. Doubles: 1-3-5 with 1-7-9-11.
2nd race – (7) Gorrono Ranch looks like another debut winner for Ward. (1) Satisfied Mind gives Ward a nice 1-2 punch. (9) Storm Cloud Rising is worth a look here. (11) Cinnamon Sugar put in a nice gate work for this. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-7-9-11.
4th race – (8) Rare Ruby drops to a level where she should be highly competitive. (9) Brooklyn Can Dance adds blinkers and is worth a look. (12) Red Wine Lady should be closing late. (3) Mustang Lady may appreciate a switch to dirt. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-8-9-12.
7th race – The FanDuel Limestone Stakes - (5) It Ain’t Two arrives from Europe and gets top billing here. (6) Shisospicy will be the one to reel in. (9) Dreamaway will be a threat on her best try. (12) Kilwin seems poised for a solid 2025 debut. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 5-6-9-12.
9th race – The Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) - (6) Carl Spackler is a multiple Grade 1 winner who can start 2025 on a winning note. (1) Integration missed by a neck in the Pegasus Turf and looms as the one to fear. (2) Funtastic Again runs well fresh and rarely turns in a poor try. (7) Silent Heart missed by a neck and cannot be ignored. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-6-7.