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.
2nd race – (2) Lean Music Machine looks best at this level. (11) Stormproof moves over to dirt and should be the main foe. (1) Raising Kane could be a factor with blinkers added. (8) Heavy Hitter could hang on for a share. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-8-11.
4th race – (2) Top Gunner has plenty of stakes experience which gives him the edge here. (5) Roll On Big Joe won two straight in California and figures to be the one to fear. (4) Otto the Conqueror is working smartly for his comeback after eight months off. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4-5.
6th race – (2) Thirteen Colonies gets Irad and should work out a winning trip from an inside post. (12) Brushfire has a tough post but should like turf. (3) Lebowski missed by a nose in his last turf race. (6) Big Ritz is worth a look in his debut. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-6-12.
8th race – The Giant’s Causeway (G3) - (4) Future Is Now closed out 2024 with a pair of wins. Can continue his winning ways here. (2) Toupie could be hard to catch on the front end. (7) Pandora’s Gift will benefit from a fast pace. (10) Just a Care is highly consistent and cannot be ignored. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4-7-10. Doubles: 2-4-7-10 with 2-7-8-12.
9th race – (7) Maravich could score at this claiming level. (12) Parade of Fears merits some consideration in his debut. (2) Romantic Lead may welcome a return to dirt. (8) Big Salt Lick could be a threat in this field. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-7-8-12.