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) Miss Southsayer was a good third on synthetics. Should handle turf. (1) Pedital might like the added distance. (3) Valaha should be competitive in this field. (9) Gorrono Ranch could be effective in this field. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-6-9.
3rd race – (5) Catalonia was impressive in his turf debut and looks best here. (6) Clowning Around shapes up as the main rival. (7) Collective Beauty cannot be ignored in this field. (1) Lovely Grey will be helped by a rail trip. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-5-6-7.
5th race – (4) I’m Trouble seems set for a strong effort in his debut. (10) Bright Skittle has been knocking on door of a maiden win and is the one to fear. (11) Atlal may respond to a dirt to turf switch. (3) Cortina can bounce back with a better showing here. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-10-11.
7th race – (12) Brave Force has an interesting pedigree and some fast works. Get the nod here. (8) Wonder Mist looks like another promising firster. (4) Chasing Freedom could be a threat on his best try. (11) Helmet of Will is worth a look in this field. Betting strategy: 12 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-8-11-12.
9th race – (7) Street Beast exits a sharp win at the meet and can make it two straight wins. (2) Ciborio was a promising second and merits attention. (1) Awesome Connection could be tough to catch here. (10) Thunder Zeus might make some noise here. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-7-10.