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) Mercy Warren missed by a nose at this level and should make amends here. (10) Colonial Rose won easily last time and should be the top foe. (3) Romantic Dancer was an impressive winner here last week. (9) Savannamarie has been freshened since May and can resume her winning ways. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-6-9-10.
3rd race – (6) Our Pretty Woman was a competitive fourth in a Grade 2 stakes and has a class edge here. (3) Chilled gets some class relief after running in the Grade 1 Spinster. (2) Cat’s Cave fits in nicely in this group. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-6.
5th race – (7) Operation Torch had a useful comeback race and can move forward here. (12) Bite and Strike is on the upswing after a nice maiden win. (1) Copp will be helped by a rail trip. (2) Global Prosperity should be in the picture. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-7-12.
8th race – The Bryan Station Stakes (G3) – (2) Golden Afternoon should be helped by the added distance here. (4) Troubleshooting comes off a game win in the Grade 1 Franklin Simpson. (5) Final Gambit should pose a stretch threat. (8) Tenacious Leader could be a factor in this field. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4-5-8. Doubles: 2-4-5-8 with 3-9-10-11.
9th race – The Hagyard Fayette Stakes (G3) - (10) Gosger faces older foes but can rebound from a disappointing try in the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby. (3) Bracket Buster is in career-best form and could be the main rival. (11) Hit Show belongs in the exotics. (9) Dragoon Guard rarely turns in a poor effort and cannot be ignored. Betting strategy: 10 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-9-10-11.