Del Mar Hotlist - August 21

Today’s Del Mar Hot List races to watch
Saturday, August 21, 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.

3^rd race – (4) Memo Daddy (D) was bet down from 10-1 to 5-1 then had a troubled trip as he was checked while closing nicely along the rail and wound up seventh. Can work out a winning trip here. (1) Ottawa Fire rallied belatedly in his U.S. debut. Should improve here with blinkers and a rail trip. (3) Mohawk King has speed and may be tough to catch. (8) Evening Sun should be a threat in the final furlong. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-4-8.

5th race – (1) Lone Scout (C) dropped from 5-1 to 3-1 then rallied nicely for third while drifting in and out a bit. The addition of blinkers should put him in the winner’s circle. (7) Affable has never been worse than third and looks like the one to fear. (11) Barbwire was second last time but has a tough post. (9) Subconscious has enough speed to be dangerous here. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-7-9-11. Doubles: 1-7-9-11 with 1-4-6-7.

6th race – (6) I’m So Anna (C) plunged from 12-1 to 5-1 and used her speed to take a state-bred stakes. Faces open stakes company here but is in great form. (7) Private Mission was a speedy allowance winner for Baffert and should pose the biggest threat. (4) Forest Caraway won convincingly last time and is a main threat here. (1) Lady Mystify will benefit from a ground-saving trip here. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 6-7. Exactas: 6-7 over 1-4 and 1-4 over 6-7.

9th race – (1) Closing Remarks (B) was rushed up, then taken back and closed well for third. Returning to turf is a big plus. (7) Fluffy Socks was shipped west by Chad Brown and will be dangerous in this spot. (3) Going Global was second after four straight wins and can return to her winning ways here. (2) Javanica showed speed last time and cannot be ignored. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-3-7. Doubles: 1-2-3-7 with 2-3-4-5.

10th race – (4)  Royal Ship (B) was a game third in a prep for today’s longer, 1 1/4-mile stakes. He should be well-suited by that distance and gets the nod here in the Pacific Classic. (5) Express Train (C) dropped from 4-1 to 5-2 then turned in a gutsy victory in that prep  while battling for the lead throughout. The added distance will present a challenge. (3) Dr Post ships in from the East Coast and will be a huge threat off his last win at Monmouth. (2) Tizamagician should handle the distance just fine and figures to be a main contender. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-4-5.