Free: Santa Anita pick three for Saturday, Dec. 27
Wagering action Saturday at Santa Anita will be limited to a low-budget $1 pick three on the final three races. It’s a $12 play (2 x 2 x 3).
:: Build your pick three ticket with DRF TicketMaker
Race 7
DANCINGTHENIGHTAWAY (5) is favored in this seven-furlong N1X for fillies and mares. Impressive winner of both her starts, she should be gone if she clears pace rival SAYES SO (10).
The other possibility is Sayes So, a sharp debut winner, if she sits second and runs past the favorite in the lane.
The worst-case scenario is Dancingthenightaway and Sayes So hook up and run each other into the ground. If that happens, the pick three will be dead.
Two deep: 5, 10
Race 8
LADY PIMPERNEL (3) could have won her U.S. debut except for bad racing luck. She shortens to nine furlongs in this Grade 3 for fillies and mares on turf. With a clean trip, Lady Pimpernel can win at a generous morning line of 5-1.
WINNINGRHYTHM (10) exits the same 1 3/8-mile race as the top choice. Winningrhythm made a big move on the far turn and into the lane, then went flat. The distance was too far. Nine furlongs suits her, and she also is a good price at 6-1.
The favorite Rusty Slipper will not be used. No knocks, but this small pick-three ticket is already heavy with chalk. The ticket will only use two middle prices, in the middle leg.
Two deep: 3, 10
Race 9
A good route for 2-year-old maiden special weights includes three logical contenders.
FAME AND POWER (3) stretches out following a better-than-looked runner-up sprint. If he makes the lead, he could be gone. CYRUS ALEXANDER (5), sibling to Super Saver, is rounding into form. He finished second in a route last time. PROSPECT PARK (11), a sibling to Grade 1 winner Silent Sighs, takes off blinkers and switches to Kent Desormeaux. He also is rounding into form.
Three deep: 3, 5, 11
The payoff would be modest. It's only a $12 wager, mainly for the sake of action.
The play:
$1 pick three
Race 7: Nos. 5, 10
Race 8: Nos. 3, 10
Race 9: Nos. 3, 5, 11