Bernier: How I'd play Santa Anita on Sunday, Oct. 5

I’d love to play the late pick four Sunday at Santa Anita, but the finale is a wide-open baby race that features horses with little or no experience. Accordingly, I’ll focus on a pick three that encompasses races 6-8.

Race 6

LUCK OF THE KITTEN continues to improve with each and every start and figures to take another step forward here for trainer Wesley Ward. His latest effort over the unique course at Kentucky Downs was promising, and if he indeed takes another step forward, he’ll be very tough to handle here.

DALLAS SKYLINE is an obvious contender in this spot; his first two career efforts are arguably good enough to get the job done in this spot and his experience going two turns should work to his benefit. It’s worth noting the third-place runner in his latest heat returned to win going two turns here at Santa Anita, earning a 72 Beyer Speed Figure in the process.

A: 4 – Luck of the Kitten, 6 – Dallas Skyline
B: 1 – Rowdy Dylan, 7 – Reflected Star
C: 2 – Highway Boss

RACE 7

SWEET PROFIT returns to the scene of her maiden score and figures to benefit in a major way by getting back over a dirt surface. It’s fair to assume she didn’t love the Polytrack at Del Mar this summer, and it’s worth noting her recent workouts over the strip at Santa Anita – especially the workout Sept. 22, a best-of-71 drill going five furlongs. She projects to sit just off the early speeds and hopefully get first run on the horses trying to close from the back.

A: 7 – Sweet Profit
B: 1 – Sweet Marini, 5 – Rovena
C: 6 – Always a Chance, 11 – Winning Vision

RACE 8

INTO OBLIVION won on the Polytrack in her debut, and based on the Beyer Speed Figure she earned that day, she fits in here. There are obvious questions that need to be answered regarding this race’s circumstances, but she still needs to be considered – especially if Mike Smith stays aboard.

SEA MONA set legitimate fractions in her first effort routing on grass, and it stands within reason to expect her to take a step forward off that effort. If she does, she figures to be right there at the end.

HER EMMYNENCY may be one of the top three fillies in Southern California at the moment from a talent standpoint. She’s improved her Beyer Speed Figure from start one to start two, and if there is any sort of forward move here today, she’ll be very hard to handle.

SHE’S COMPLETE won impressively in her grass debut when routing Sept. 1 at Del Mar, and while the trials and tribulations trainer Doug O’Neill is currently dealing with are concerning, it’s hard to deny this filly’s ability.

A: 1 – Into Oblivion, 3 – Sea Mona, 5 – Her Emmynency, 6 – She’s Complete
B: 7 – Heart of Paradise, 11 – Bobbi Grace, 12 – Achiever’s Legacy
C: 8 – Call to Congrats, 9 - Elementar