Del Mar Hotlist - September 3

Today’s Del Mar Hot List races to watch
Friday, Sept. 3, 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) Cleopatra’s Smile returns to a level where he should be able to pick up a win. (7) Sea of Liberty should be closing quickly at the end. (9) War Treaty will welcome a return to turf. (8) Cono could be tough to catch here. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-7-8-9.

3rd race – (2) Squared Shady bled last time and faded badly but was given a freshening and appears to be back in top form. (5) Shylock Eddie was second in two of her last three starts and should be the main rival. (6) Acai has enough speed to be a main factor here. (7) Lava Lane had trouble last time and can rebound here. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-5-6-7. Doubles: 2-5-6-7 with 4-5-8-10.

4th race – (4) Naughty Evelyn turned in a solid effort when switched to dirt and can prevail here. (5) Miracle of Hope should be dangerous at this level. (8) Consider Me Gone might improve with blinkers. (10) Bandeena was third and second in her last two starts and is overdue for a win. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-5-8-10.

6th race – (12) Connie Swingle (C) was bet down from 6-5 to 4-5 and won easily. Looks best here in this spot. (2) Drizella missed by a neck last time and merits plenty of consideration. (8) Carmen Miranda gets Prat after a wide, bumpy trip and can be formidable here. (3) Madiha missed by a neck and should not be ignored. Betting strategy: 12 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-8-12. Doubles: 2-3-8-12 with 3-5-6-8.

7th race – (5) England’s Rose (C) dropped from 2-1 to 8-5 and was second best. Makes amends for that setback today. (3) Reina Del Sol ships west for this and figures to be a main rival. (6) Lady Noguez will benefit from the added distance. (8) Star of Africa looks like the one they will have to catch. Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-5-6-8.