Del Mar Hot List - August 1, 2020

Today’s Del Mar Hot List races to watch
Saturday, August 1, 2020

By 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 4^th or worse
* - 4 or more betting notches if 11-1 or more. 

3rd race – (5) Freedom Fighter is trained by Baffert and hails from a smart ownership group. Should win at first asking. (2) Petruchio looks like he could be a threat in his initial try. (8) Vittorio is working nicely toward his debut. (6) El Joy has worked quickly from the gate and cannot be overlooked. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-5-6-8. 

5th race - (3) Shortlist (B) was a clear second at Churchill Downs before heading west. He can defeat this bunch off a similar effort. (5) Polar Wind seeks a third straight win and may emerge as the main rival. (1) Nolo Contesto was second after a 7-month break and should benefit from that start. (7) Dreams of Valor is usually a threat to figure in the exotics. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-5. Exactas: 3-5 over 1-7 and 1-7 over 3-5. Doubles: 1-3-5-7 with 3-4-6-7.    

6th race – (7) Officious returned from an 8-month layoff with a strong effort when fourth by less than two lengths. Should have shaken off the rust in that try and will be hard to catch here. (3) Chitu Me Too has made steady progress in her works and should be a main factor in her debut. (4) Dolce is also heading into her debut off some sharp moves in the morning. (6) Sweet and Cheeky returns to turf where she was second in her debut.  Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-6-7. 

10th race – (4) McKinzie remains at a one-turn distance after failing to fire in the Met Mile. This seems to be a good spot for a bounce back effort. (9) Collusion Illusion looks like a 3-year-old with a bright future who can be a factor here. (6) Fashionably Fast is just that and will be a main contender. (3) Desert Law was second in this race last year but has only started once since then. Has the back class to be right there at the wire. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-6-9. Doubles: 3-4-6-9 with 1-2-5-9.

11th race – (5) Bella Chica disappointed as a favorite last time but adds blinkers today and can atone for that setback. (1) Cheerful Charm had some traffic issues last time and could be tougher today. (9) On Mars has been second or third in four of five starts and belongs in the trifecta. (2) Nina En Fuego seems poised for a good showing in her debut.  Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-5-9.

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