Del Mar Hotlist - July 16

Today’s Del Mar Hot List races to watch
Friday, July 16, 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 – (2) Dr. Troutman was claimed by O’Neill for $32,000 out of a dismal effort. He runs for $16,000 here, which is worrisome, but he gets Prat which inspires confidence. (7) Conquest Cobra has been away since April but will be a threat if he can duplicate his last try. (6) Leprino returns to a claiming level where he won by more than 10 length. Is definitely a contender. (1) Studly Perfection has the rail and could be tough to beat on his best try. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-6-7.

3rd race – (8) Going to Vegas drops out of graded stakes company and has a big class edge here. (4) Pulpit Rider should be closing strongly at the end. (3) Crystalle debuts for Miller and seems poised for a better effort. (1) Quiet Secretary can make some noise from the rail. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-4-8.

5th race – (9) Brooklyns Best ran into a lot of trouble last time and only lost by 3 ½ lengths. Makes amends here. (6) Takemebythenad makes her US debut and merits attention. (8) Lookingtogeteven is 0-for-14 but can sneak into the trifecta. (1) Buy American should welcome the stretchout to a mile and can make her presence felt. Betting strategy: 9 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-6-8-9.

8th race – (3) Freedom Fighter used his speed effectively in graded stakes earlier this year. Hasn’t raced since March but is working nicely for his comeback with Baffert. (1) Savile Row has not raced since a nice debut win for Baffert in November. Looks like the main rival. (4) Exaulted was a good third in a Grade 2 stakes and cannot be overlooked. (8) I Got No Munny seeks a third straight win and should be competitive here. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-4-8. Doubles: 1-3-4-8 with 1-4-5-13.

9th race – (1) Harbored Memories seeks a third straight win while tackling stakes company for the first time. He’s bred to handle the distance and will be dangerous from the rail. (13) Whatmakessammyrun won his last two starts decisively but has a tough post to overcome. (4) Brutto could like turf and be a factor in this field. (5) Petruchio had some traffic troubles last time and will be a main factor with a clean trip. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-5-13.