Bernier: Santa Anita pick three play for Saturday, Feb. 21

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.

RACE 7

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COURAGEOUS CALL (5) handled SAYES SO (7) in their latest meeting, but I think they’re clearly the two best runners in this field. Sayes So has hinted at serious ability since winning her maiden in her debut at Del Mar on Nov. 22, and if she can buck the trend of regressing Beyer Speed Figures she may play. Courageous Call is handled by Ron Ellis, and his numbers second off the layoff are quite strong – if she moves forward off the latest effort she’s far and away the horse to beat. I will also include MY MONET (3), who figures to be forwardly placed throughout for Joe Talamo.

RACE 8

The Sensational Star is a nice downhill turf sprint, and I think PATRIOTS RULE (1) has been waiting to run down the hill his entire career. He has always been a strong late closer in grass routes, but one can’t help but notice two of his best races have been in sprint races over Polytrack while making one run. There appears to be a bit of pace signed on in this spot, and he should be rolling late. He’s the only horse I will use in this race.

RACE 9

GIMME DA LUTE (12) ran a game second in his career debut at Santa Anita on Jan. 31, and a move forward in the second effort likely lands this Bob Baffert trainee in the winners’ circle. Looking for more reason to back this runner? Take a look at this Formulator Fact: Baffert, past five years, dirt, first time blinkers off, second career start: 7 for 13, $3.19 return on investment

In case this one doesn’t fire, I will use CHUTNEY (5) and EIGHT SPOKES (11) as backups. Here are the tickets I will play and the denominations of each:

$5 pick three: 5,7 / 1 / 12 = $10

$2 pick three: 3 / 1 / 12 = $2

$2 pick three: 5,7 / 1 / 5,11 = $8

$1 pick three: 3 / 1 / 5,11 = $2