Del Mar Hotlist - August 1

Today’s Del Mar Hot List races to watch
Sunday, August 1, 2021

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.

1st race – (5) Big Sweep usually turns in a good effort and was a stakes winner over the track last summer. He looks best in this spot. (4) Just Distorted was a sharp maiden last time and should be the one to fear. (3) Forest Caraway will benefit from a fast pace. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-5. Doubles: 3-4-5 with 1-2-5-7.

2nd race – (2) Time to Party put in a quick gate work recently and can win at first asking for Miller. (7) Bombs at Cocal is one of Miller’s three entrants and should be a main factor in her debut. (1) Magnolia seems to have some speed and will be a threat if she breaks cleanly from the rail. (5) Double the Gold may move forward on turf. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-7. Exactas: 2-7 over 1-5 and 1-5 over 2-7.

4th race – (6) Leisurewear makes her U.S. debut for D’Amato who has a strong win percentage with that angle. (7) Zero Tolerance could be troublesome in this spot while making his career debut. (3) Brazilian Secret also makes her U.S. debut for D’Amato and cannot be ignored. (2) New Drama may appreciate the shorter distance. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-6-7.

8th race – (2) Fly the Sky ran well enough in open starter races to be a major contender here against Cal-breds. (9) Teton Valley won on the front end last time and could be hard to catch here. (6) El Diablo Rojo deserves some attention while returning to turf. (5) In Vronsky Style has enough speed to hang around until the very end. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-5-6-9.

9th race – (7) Shedaresthedevil ships in after taking on division leader Letruska. She should be able to work out a winning trip here. (1) Warren’s Showtime has a nice turn of late speed and will be benefit from an expected hot pace. (3) As Time Goes By will be part of that pace scenario but has too much back class to ignore. (6) Venetian Harbor stretches out and will be motoring on the front end but it’s been more than a year since she raced around two turns and that may catch up with her in the stretch.