Hammersly: Santa Anita pick three for Sunday, Feb. 22
Some decent-sized, competitive fields in the middle of the card give a pick three (races 5-7) some appeal.
Michael HammerslyFeb 21, 2015
Some decent-sized, competitive fields in the middle of the card give a pick three (races 5-7) some appeal.
Race 1 DR. NEFARIO (1) can’t possibly be as bad as his first two starts, can he? His latest at Gulfstream might be particularly misrepresentative, as he was far too eager in the early going. Now he drops in for a first tag for the Silver Max connections and draws favorably on the hedge. At 12-1 on the morning line, he’s worth trying by tying him up with the two logicals, RUN SAICHI (6) and LET’S WRAP IT UP (10).
I’m looking to play a late pick three at Santa Anita on Saturday afternoon, keying my play around a runner in the Sensational Star.
Saturday’s Fountain of Youth Stakes card at Gulfstream, which also includes the seasonal debut of the 2014 Eclipse Award-winning older male and turf male Main Sequence, achieves the desired blend of being long on quality and long on betting opportunities.
Let’s take a look at the 50-cent late pick four at Gulfstream on a huge afternoon of racing.
DRF handicapper Michael Hammersly provides his best plays for Saturday's card at Santa Anita.
BreezeFigs Quick-Pix for Saturday, February 21st by Bob Fierro and Jay Kilgore.
Wagering is an art form that needs to be developed. It is not a process that comes naturally. When there are resources available to make the work more beneficial they should be used.
The Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds is anything but clear-cut. This race could play out in too many ways to feel confident of much. In the Fountain of Youth, unless something dramatic changes, Upstart is supposed to win. It will be interesting to see if he can improve his Beyer again or settle into the 106 comfort zone.
Trips will obviously be key in a big field like the one in Saturday’s Canadian Turf Stakes at Gulfstream Park, and I like Grand Tito because he projects to sit the sweetest of trips.