Del Mar Hotlist - July 25

Today’s Del Mar Hot List races to watch
Sunday, July 25, 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 – (1) Who’s the Star was a game second in his debut for Sadler and seems positioned for a winning trip here. (6) Bobby Bo had a useful career debut and should benefit from that. (4) Risk and Reward has been away since last summer’s meet here but is training nicely for Baffert. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-6. Doubles: 1-4-6 with 4-5-6-7.

2nd race – (6) Murray is one of two Baffert firsters in the field. Getting Prat makes him the choice. (4) Carbonite was third in his debut for Baffert and gets Smith. Seems well-meant here. (5) Clampett adds blinkers after finishing fourth in his debut and should be a main threat. (7) Barossa is the other Baffert first-time starter and  gets Cedillo. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-6. Exactas: 4-6 over 5-7 and 5-7 over 4-6.

6th race – (6) Sauls Call was competitive enough in the MSW ranks and should be able to handle claimers. (5) City of Champions was third in the MSW ranks in his debut and should be the main threat. (2) Always Litt could be a contender in his career debut. (3) Medina Man can make his presence felt in this spot. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-5-6.

7th race – (4) Constantia was second in a Grade 2 stakes and should prevail here if he can duplicate that effort. (5) Superstition was third behind the top choice and seems to  be the one to fear. (9) Rakassah seeks a third straight win and should not be ignored. (1) Bulletproof One will be a threat if there’s no rust from a 10-month layoff. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-5-9.

9th race – (1) Desmond Doss won his last two starts and can make it three in a row with the help of a rail trip. (5) Indian Peak should appreciate a switch from synthetics to turf. (10) North County Guy has been training sharply for his first race since April and seems poised for a big effort. (6) Ward ‘n Jerry usually takes home a share of the purse. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-5-6-10.