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 – (6) Waggley was scratched on opening day by Ward but should get the win here. (7) Smoke is showing some potential in the mornings. (4) Frontline Fury is worth a look here. (2) Techwerkian put in some bullet works for this. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4-6-7.
3rd race – (4) Kapoor has won three in a row rather easily. Seems primed for No. 4. (2) Liam in the Dust drops out of stakes company and should be the main rival. (5) Amarth is consistent and should be in the picture. (7) Lord I Wonder will welcome a return to dirt. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4-5-7.
5th race – (5) Integration has Grade 1 experience and owns a class edge in his 2026 debut. (3) Theismann could be tough to reel in here. (2) Dresden Row is worth a look in his first start for Pletcher. (7) Nelson Avenue may wake up on turf. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-5-7.
7th race – (1) Love You Anyway raced wide when no factor in a graded stakes. Can rebound here from the rail. (6) Miss Kitty Boom could be hard to catch off the stretch out. (8) Love and Poetry might pose a late threat. (7) Texas Holiday is working sharply for this start. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-6-7-8. Doubles: 1-6-7-8 with 1-2-4-8.
8th race – (8) Sharons Beach has a nice turn of speed and looks best here. (1) General Graham will benefit from a rail trip. (4) High Go will be helped by a fast pace. (2) American Brass should improve on dirt. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-4-8.