Del Mar Hotlist - August 9

Today’s Del Mar Hot List races to watch
Sunday, Aug. 9, 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 – (6) Take Her Temp debuts for Miller off some interesting works and may prove best in this spot. (8) Grigoro also makes her debut and should be a factor. (4) Afleet Diva is another firster with plenty of appeal. (9) Risen Lady also deserves attention in a race where the newcomers should dominate. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-6-8-9.

5th race - (8) Rookie Mistake (B) rallied nicely to finish second in a state-bred stakes and should find the winner’s circle here around two turns in an allowance race. (2) No Name Fred seeks a third straight win and merits respect. (4) Antithetical could be hard to catch around two turns. (5) Handsome Cat should welcome a return to the state-bred ranks. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4-5-8.

8th race – (7) Tribalist loves this course with three wins and two seconds in six starts. He’s been away since January but he runs well fresh and merits top billing here. (2) Strongconstitution has not raced since he turned in three strong starts last year. He broke his maiden on turf and will be dangerous here. (5) Ginobili should perk up on grass. (6) Capture the Sea could find smooth sailing on the front end. Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-5-6-7.

10th race – (6) Smooth Like Strait (A) was an impressive winner of a tough stakes at Churchill Downs and seems ready for a big effort here. (3) Azul Coast ran well enough on synthetics to be a factor here on turf. (7) Storm the Court was a champion at two, but has struggled at three. Maybe turf is the answer. (5) Kanderel rallied quickly to finish second in a stakes earlier in the meet and cannot be ignored. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-5-6-7. Doubles: 3-5-6-7 with 6-7-10-12.

11th race – (6) Leprino drops to a level where he should be able to register a maiden win. (12) Prince Ricky was a distant second at this level and could be a main factor. (7) Qaabil adds blinkers and may turn in a better showing. (10) Do Not Swipe Left was gelded since his last start and is worth a look. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 6-7-10-12.