Bernier: Santa Anita pick four play for Monday, Feb. 19, 2018

A couple of California-bred stakes races for 3-year-olds make up the interior portion of the Presidents Day late pick four at Santa Anita. The sequence offers horseplayers a bit of everything – a dirt sprint, a turf route, a dirt route and a turf sprint. Race 6 is the kickoff leg of the wager, with a scheduled post time of 6:14 Eastern. Here’s a look at the sequence.

RACE 6

YES I’M READY (3) has been facing significantly better company than he’ll face Monday afternoon. Names like Heck Yeah, Violent Ridge and Faversham show up in his past performances, and any of those entrants would be barred from the wagering in a spot like this. He makes sense as a single for many reasons, but I’ll also use WILLY TELL HIM (7) as a defensive back up. Steve Miyadi doesn’t have a high win percentage with first-time starters in maiden claimers on dirt over the past three years (7 for 62), but he does show a positive ROI with this angle ($2.13).

RACE 7 – CALIFORNIA CUP OAKS

ONE FAST BROAD (5) is a heavy favorite on the morning line, but I’m not convinced that she’s a slam dunk in this spot. From a speed figure standpoint, she has no real edge on this field, and her connections have been on the chillier side of things recently. I’ll look to beat her at what projects to be a very short price. PULPIT RIDER (1) rolled home in her turf debut going down the hill on Jan. 19, finishing third. The top two finishers that day have returned to earn Beyers of 82 and 80 in their next start, so the form of that race appears to be holding up. Visually it looked like Pulpit Rider would appreciate added distance, and she should get a fair pace to run at. Pulpit Rider is a single for me in the Cal Cup Oaks.

RACE 8 – CALIFORNIA CUP DERBY

At this point in his career, HECK YEAH (4) looks as though he could develop into any type of runner. He’s been brilliant in two starts, and there’s no reason to believe he won’t be able to handle a route of ground on dirt. FAVERSHAM (5) is likely to get overbet for no other reason than he’s California Chrome’s younger brother. That fact aside, his debut was promising, and the additional distance should work to his advantage here. GEORGE FROM TAHOE (11) is a bit of a wild card in the Cal Cup Derby trying dirt for the first time for owner-trainer Jeff Bonde, but the versatility in running style he’s shown in his two starts is perhaps an indication he’ll be able to successfully transition to the main track.

RACE 9

There’s a serious lack of pace in the nightcap going down the hill, and that makes CHIEF HOSA (1) extremely dangerous. Chief Hosa may be a bit light on figs and class, but the tactical advantage he brings to the table may be enough on its own to get the job done. MESUT (6) fits well against this group, but the lack of pace may compromise his chances. SKELTON PASS (9) has run well in all four of his starts down the hillside turf, and he possesses enough early foot to stay within shouting distance of the likely pacesetter. If Chief Hosa finds this level too tough, Skelton Pass could inherit the lead at the top of the lane.