Del Mar Hotlist - August 22

Today’s Del Mar Hot List races to watch
Sunday, August 22, 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 – (1) Satchel de Ritches (D) was bet down from 2-1 to 8-5 then had a troubled trip when he was steadied at the start and checked in the stretch. Deserves a second chance for new connections with a switch to Prat. (2) Dark Hedges has some speed and will be a factor here. (5) Stay Happy won his last here and should be a stretch threat.  Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-5. Doubles: 1-2-5 with 1-2-3. Pick 3: 1-2-5 with 1-2-3 with 4-5-6-7.

2nd race – (3) Viazar (A) was 11^th and last with a quarter-mile to go, then flew home to miss by a half-length. Should work out a winning trip here. (2) Frazzled should be a main contender at this level. (1) Suki may be closing quickly in the final furlong. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-3.

3rd race – (4) Bye Bye Bertie (C) took a surprising drop from 13-1 to 7-1 then showed why, winning by a nose. Can make it two in a row here. (5) California Kook won easily last time and merits resect here. (6) Ginja was a game second last time and cannot be ignored. (7) Samurai Charm romped to victory and is dangerous on a similar try. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-5. Exactas: 4-5 over 6-7 and 6-7 over 4-5.

7th race – (3) Kind But She Lies (C) dropped from 2-1 to 3-2 then rallied nicely at the end to wind up second. Should make amends for that setback here. (5) Whiskey Blue was claimed out of her debut and is worth a look here. (1) Scream and Shout should benefit from a rail trip. (4) Backtoflash was third in her last two starts and can move forward today. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-4-5.

9th race – (7)  Taishan (A) stumbled at the start and battled gamely to finish second. Gets the win here. (3) Azul Coast had a useful comeback race and should be the main rival. (1) Zestful should be battling for the lead and might hang on. (2) Bold Endeavor seems overdue for a win with four seconds in his last five starts. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-7. Exactas: 3-7 over 1-2 and 1-2 over 3-7.