Del Mar Hotlist - August 14

Today’s Del Mar Hot List races to watch
Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022

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 –  (3) Virulente hasn’t raced since June when she missed by a nose but should prevail at a lower claiming level. (1) Youteyourhonor had a miserable trip last time out here. Deserves a second chance. (4) Sweet Talked debuts for Miller and should get a close look. (5) Unfaithful Ways had some trouble last time and may bounce back to top form. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3. Exactas: 1-3 over 4-5 and 4-5 over 1-3.

3^rd race – (6) Moose Mitchell has some early speed and could be tough to catch here. (8) Axel Steel will be better served with a return to turf. (5) Northvale Road fits in nicely here. (3) My Harbors Dream is worth a look off the Hess claim. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-5-6-8.

5th race – (6) Halosnheaven (A) was a game second in her debut for Baffert and should graduate today. (4) Ice Dancing seems sharp for her career debut with Mandella. (7) Flying Connection could improve off a useful debut. (3) Jennifer’s d’Light should be a factor in her career debut. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-6. Exactas: 4-6 over 3-7 and 3-7 over 4-6.  

9th race – (10) Havnameltdown (C) dropped from 8-5 to 6-5 and won nicely on the front end for Baffert. Should handle the jump into stakes company. (9) Mardukas won at big odds at Churchill Downs and has been working nicely over this track. (11) Kangaroo Court may be a maiden but ran well enough in his debut to be a factor here. (1) King Adrock ships in from Kentucky and can atone for a weak try last time. Betting strategy: 10 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-9-10-11. Doubles: 1-9-10-11 with 1-5-6-8.

10th race – (6) Flint Stroll has been prepping nicely for this start and gets the nod in a competitive field. (8) Spirit Maker was third behind the top pick and should be a main threat once again. (1) Rimprotector can bounce back to top form on turf. (5) Kant Beat the Rock missed by a neck last time and should not be ignored. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-5-6-8.