Del Mar Hotlist - August 7

Today’s Del Mar Hot List races to watch
Friday, August 7, 2020

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 – (2) Dr. Troutman makes his first start since September but he’s run well after layoffs before and seems best in this field. (3) Worthy Turk disappointed as a favorite, but can bounce back here. (6) Avalanche was overmatched in a 14-furlong Grade 3 stakes but fits better against these. (5) Shadrack could bounce back with a better effort here. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3. Exactas: 2-3 over 5-6 and 5-6 over 2-3. Doubles: 2-3-5-6 with 2-3-6-7.

2nd race - (3) Kaely’s Candy was a game second in her debut and though she steps up a notch in company, she seems best here. (7) Tiz a Unicorn was well-bet in her debut but flopped. Maybe she perks up here. (2) Quiet Secretary will enjoy some class relief in a claimer. (6) Saving Sophie usually lands in the exotics but is 0-for-9. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-6-7.

5th race – (4) Blackout showed more early speed than usual and tired badly at a mile. He should appreciate the turnback to a sprint. (1) Italiano missed by a head last time and could be the one to fear. the rail. (10) Nero ships in from Churchill Downs and seems ready for a nice effort. (8) Portando will welcome a return to the claiming ranks. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-8-10.

7th race – (5) Solitaire (B) was a sharp debut winner on dirt and has a nice pedigree for turf. (10) Zucchera missed by a neck in her last start back in May and should take a step forward in her first start for Baltas. (3) Danceformunny responded to a drop into claimers and merits attention. (1) Mela Jones could be a major threat from the rail. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-5-10.

9th race – (2) Lets Get Wild has been second or third in three of her last four starts and seems overdue for a win. (4) Va Va Voom returns to a turf and should be a factor here. (8) That’s Amare is worth a long look in her debut. (6) Leggs Galore may be ready to put her running shoes on while switching to turf. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4-6-8.