Del Mar Hotlist - August 8

Today’s Del Mar Hot List races to watch
Saturday, August 8, 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.

3rd race – (3) Caerulean was a game third last time and seems to be getting better with each start on turf. Deserves the nod here. (7) Fly Buddy Fly could take off and be a contender in his debut. (1) Master Ryan finished ahead of the top pick last time and cannot be ignored from the rail. (8) Spud rallied belatedly in his debut and could be a factor here. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-7-8.

5th race - (7) Merneith is a daughter of American Pharoah and should welcome a switch to turf. (4) Mind Out returns to turf after a runner-up finish on synthetics in a stakes. Should be the one to fear. (8) Moonhall Milly lacked some room while finishing fourth and should be in the picture here. (3) Going to Vegas may appreciate the shorter distance. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-7-8. Doubles: 3-4-7-8 with 1-2-4-5.    

6th race – (4) Roderick was an impressive debut winner at Belmont Park and should be hard to handle here. (1) Sonic Brees won nicely at Los Al and merits respect. (5) Herd Immunity was third in a Churchill Downs stakes and might improve with the blinkers off. (2) Ambivalent showed promise in his debut and can land a piece of the purse. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4. Exactas: 1-4 over 2-5 and 2-5 over 1-4.

9th race – (8) Jolie Olimpica was a good second to Rushing Fall last time and an  encore of that effort should get the job done here. (7) Beau Recall has been first or second in eight of her last nine starts and belongs in the exacta. (6) Keeper Ofthe Stars had a winning streak snapped last time but could bounce back here. (2) Bodhicitta should be a major threat in the final furlong with her keen late kick. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-6-7-8. Doubles: 2-6-7-8 with 3-4-8-9.

10th race – (9) Spielberg is working brilliantly for his debut and looks like another box office hit for Baffert. (4) Superman Shaq could save the day for his connections based on his works. (3) Noble Reflection is another interesting firster in this field. (8) Dr. Schivel has some racing experience and that could pay off here. Betting strategy: 9 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-8-9.