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 – (4) Buckeye Bombshell is versatile on turf and dirt and should handle claimers. (3) Starwood is worth a close look in a claimer. (1) Olympic Star will be helped by a rail trip. (7) Tiz Laws Hall might improve on dirt. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-4-7.
3rd race – (3) Senza Parole disappointed in a graded stakes but should rebound here. (2) Queen Azteca could be the main rival. (5) Yes It Tiz should be closing at the end. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-5.
5th race – (10) Innate had a useful 2026 debut and looks best here. (9) Longshoreman has stakes experience and should be a main factor. (3) Murdock will be dangerous if he duplicates his last try. (7) Pivotal Moment will be helped by a fast pace. Betting strategy: 10 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-7-9-10.
7th race – (2) Thatsalrightmama ships in from California and should be hard to beat. (1) Next Up figures to respond to a return to dirt. (5) Scrobble might wake up in this spot. (3) Dozen Diamonds is worth a look after a third last time. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-3-5.
9th race – Baird Doubledogdare Stakes (G2) - (1) Alpine Speech was second in the Grade 3 Royal Delta and should benefit from a rail trip. (4) Gin Gin won the Spinster here last year but has not raced since November and may need a race. (6) Running Away is working nicely for her 2026 debut. (3) Eunomia was third in the Royal Delta and cannot be ignored. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-4-6.