Bernier: Santa Anita pick three play for Saturday, Oct. 10
RACE 5
LUCKY BRYAN (10) delivered an impressive performance winning his maiden Sept. 26 at Santa Anita, and there is no reason to believe he can’t come right back and make his first victory against winners a stakes win. After breaking sharply, Lucky Bryan rated kindly down the backside and into the far turn before angling outside and finishing nicely down the lane. The outside post will be an obstacle, but it shouldn’t destroy his chances of winning.
DRESSED IN HERMES (9) hasn’t been seen since a solid effort Aug. 12 at Del Mar, but it’s safe to assume he’s going to be a major contender in this spot. This 2-year-old gelding finished third behind Hollywood Don, who won the Del Mar Juvenile Turf, and now removes the blinkers for his third career start. His last-out 77 Beyer Speed Figure arguably makes him the horse to beat, and he mustn’t be left off tickets.
A: 9, 10
B: None
C: 2, 4, 7
RACE 6
FAMILY CODE (2) is likely to be a heavy favorite in this 2-year-old heat. He ran a winning race in his first start against winners last out, and his last two Beyer Speed Figures of 69 and 60 will make him a single on many tickets. The only other horse to consider using would be COURAGEOUS DAVE (3) for Doug O’Neill and Reddam Racing. An impressive winner of his career debut, Courageous Dave steps up in class today and will need to navigate an extra furlong in this spot. It’s far from an impossible task, but it’s safe to say he’ll need to improve anywhere from 20 to 25 Beyer points to get the job done.
A: 2
B: None
C: 3
RACE 7
The Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf didn’t appear to be an overly strong race as a whole, but one of the intriguing runners exiting that race is OPTIMISM AND HOPE (11). Although the outside post would be to her detriment, it’s not as though she’s a speedy sort and will likely take back and save ground immediately. Optimism and Hope was mildly interfered with at the top of the lane in her North American debut, yet she continued on willingly to pass tired foes late. Her gallop out was solid, and there’s reason to believe she can move forward in a major way going out for trainer Phil D’Amato.
LUCKY FOLIE (7) was visually impressive when winning her maiden in her debut Sept. 6 at Del Mar, and the form of that race has since been flattered. Runner-up Bellamentary returned to win her next race at Santa Anita, earning a 77 Beyer. Luck Folie figures to be forwardly placed stretching out from a sprint to a route, and her pedigree suggests the added real estate should be no concern. She has plenty of positives in her corner, but the overwhelming negative is likely the price – she’ll likely be one of the favorites, if not the outright favorite here.
A: 7, 11
B: None
C: 3, 4, 5