Free: Santa Anita pick three play for Sunday, May 24

Nothing fancy Sunday at Santa Anita. The proposed multi-race wager is a simple, inexpensive pick three covering races 5-7. The sequence begins and ends with singles. Nine entered the “all” middle leg. Therefore, the bet cost is only $9.

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Race 5 is a special-weight sprint for fillies and mares in which Bob Baffert-trained GIRL DOWNSTAIRS (8) holds the edge. She flashed speed and tired in both starts at 2, then was sidelined. She returns with a solid work pattern, advantageous up-front running style and an outside post that allows jockey Martin Garcia to go or press.

Girl Downstairs, purchased for just $110K, has a modest pedigree. Still, Baffert “protects” her by running in a special-weight rather than a maiden-claiming race. Girl Downstairs is 4-1. She is a pick-three single, and a win bet at that price.

Race 6, a $20K claiming sprint at seven furlongs, is a mystery thanks to program favorite BRANDO THE BIRDMAN (5). He was claimed off a win for $32K by Bill Spawr, who runs him back for $20K. Claim-and-drop is not a typical Spawr pattern. And yet, Rafael Bejarano rides him back.

On principal, you’d have to bet against a low-odds horse dropping off a claim/win. Out of respect for Spawr and Bejarano, you’d have to use him. Gut feeling is something is amiss, but not brave enough to toss the favorite entirely.

This ticket will take the easy way out, and buy the race. It’s an “all.” For the record, this handicapper’s top choice is SHAME ON ALEX (2). Maybe there is a price horse lurking somewhere. If so, the ticket will have him.

Race 7 is a $75K maiden-claiming turf sprint in which ULTRA SHARP (11) returns to the circumstances of his career-best effort. It was a third-place finish two starts back vs. special-weight foes. He misfired last time in a route, but shortens in distance and puts blinkers back on.

Ultra Sharp is 7-2 second choice in the program. If Girl Downstairs blows race 5 and the pick three is dead, Ultra Sharp is worth a straight bet at 7-2.

Pick three, races 5-7

($1 wager = $9 total)
Race 5 (first leg): 8
Race 6 (second leg): all 9
Race 7 (third leg): 11