Today’s Del Mar Hot List races to watch

Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025

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 – (7)  Uncle Dude has not raced since November but can start the year off on a winning note. (6) Triple Diamonds was second last time and can be the runner-up again. (1) McKinzie Street may shine on turf. (4) Run for Kidder will welcome a return to turf.  Betting strategy: 7 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-4-6-7.

4^th race – (5) Desert Gate was an impressive debut winner for Baffert and should handle this field. (4) Pavlovian should like the added distance. (3) St Petersburg may benefit from his debut.  Betting strategy: 5 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-4-5.

6th race – (6) Privman finally broke his maiden last time and can start a winning streak here. (1) Lyell’s Song missed by a neck last time and looks like the main rival. (7) Brazenly should be closing nicely at the end. (3) Vasa was a game maiden winner and cannot be overlooked . Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-6-7.Doubles: 1-3-6-7 with 2-3-5-8.

7th race – (3) Final Boss has plenty of speed and may not look back.(2) Gold Phoenix has tons of class but this may be too short for him. (8) Beyond Brilliant might move forward off a useful comeback race. (5) Astronomer could be a threat on his best try. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-5-8.

9th race – (2) Heredia ships in from Saratoga and could work out a winning trip. (3) Liguria shapes up as the one to fear. (8) Mahina should pose a major threat in the stretch.(1) Hang the Moon will be helped by a rail trip. Betting strategy: 2 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-3-8.