Del Mar Hotlist - August 5

Today’s Del Mar Hot List races to watch
Friday, Aug. 5, 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 –  (4) Gas Me Up had some trouble while breaking from the gate in his debut and should appreciate the switch to turf. (1) Fast Fall is worth a look in his debut. (2) Kid Azteca was fourth last time and should be a contender. (7) Ah Jeez looks the part of a contender. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-4-7.

3rd race – (2) Air Force Red seeks a third straight win and should be tough to deny. (7) Give Me the Lute will be dangerous on his best try. (5) Whatmakessammyrun will be a threat in the final furlong. (6) Dubai Key is 2-for-2 in the United States but has yet to race on turf here. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-7. Exactas: 2=7 over 5-6 and 5-6 over 2-7.

5th race – (1) Dancing Crane gets back on turf and should prove best here. (4) Invincibella was given a break after rallying for second. Should be the main threat. (2) A New Peace was second or third in her last four starts and belongs in the exotics. (8) A Bowl of Cherries should like this distance. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-4-8.

7th race – (7) Avenue cuts back in distance and can handle this field. (10) Bee Catcher missed by a neck last time and should be the one to fear. (5) Flintmore broke his maiden last time and merits attention here. (1) Win the Day returns to turf and will welcome a return to turf. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-5-7-10. Doubles: 1-5-7-10 with 1-2-3-6.

8th race – (3) American Refugee makes his first start for Baffert and seems ready for a big try. (6) One More Bid seems to be rounding into top shape. (2) Encode disappointed in his debut but can rebound here. (1) Western Cape put in a sharp bullet work for this start. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-3-6.