Del Mar Hotlist - August 18

Today’s Del Mar Hot List races to watch
Thursday, Aug. 18, 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.

2nd race – (1) Holden the Lute was freshened after losing by a nose and should prevail here. (5) Loud Mouth has speed and could be tough to catch here. (2) Offshore Affair seeks a third straight win and merits respect. (7) Lord Dragon may roar off the Hess claim. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-5. Exactas: 1-5 over 2-7 and 2-7 over 1-5.. Doubles 1-2-5-7 with 1-6-7-9.

3rd race – (1) Touch of Zen debuts for D’Amato and looks best in this spot. (7) Silent Heat could make some noise here. (6) Easy Four Years is worth a look in his debut. (9) Liberty Forever merits attention if he can crack the AE list. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-6-7-9.

5th race – (3) Sam Malone debuts in a claimer and will generate some cheers if he wins. (2) Abinadi might appreciate the class relief here. (5) Mor Tequila has been working quickly and seems set for a good effort. (8) South Coast Route has some experience which should be a an edge here. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-5-8. Doubles: 2-3-5-8 with 1-4-5-6.

6th race – (6) Gregory’s Pride (A) missed by a nose last time and can make amends here. (4) Raging Waters might wake up here. (5) Turn On The Jets is worth a look in his US debut. (1) Party Game had a useful tuneup for this try. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-5-6.

8th race – (4) Agador Spartacus may finally graduate in this field. (1) Fore Flag should work out a good trip from the rail. (10) Oubabe belongs in the exotics. (6) Street Humor might have the last laugh here. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-6-10.