Hammersly: Del Mar pick three play for Saturday, July 25

A couple gals who just ran into one another on the grass at Santa Anita, a competitive Grade 2 San Diego and a potential single in the last leg give a late pick three (races 7-9) some appeal.

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Race 7

CHAULK O LATTEY (#3) dueled and weakened a bit to finish third, not far behind SWEET AS A ROSE at this trip and level at Santa Anita June 21. She doesn’t have to duel, either, as she’s won before from off the pace. She’s also reunited with Bejarano and the two prior times these two teamed up the results were romping wins. SWEET AS A ROSE (#9) broke her maiden on this course over 11 months ago. After a long vacation she was a troubled fifth at Santa Anita May 30 but the finished smartly to run second there June 25, beating CHAULK O LATTEY back into third. She looks back on track. ZANBO (#11) was fourth, well behind the top two in that June 25 race, but she’s capable of better and doesn’t have to come from as far out of it either. QUEENOFTHEPALACE (#4) is an intriguing New Zealand raider who showed ample quality there (six for eight in the exacta) and has worked nicely for this first U.S. run.

A’s) 3, 9
B’s) 4, 11
C’s) None

Race 8

CATCH A FLIGHT (#6) was strong and game winning the Grade 3 Precisionist and Grade 2 Californian at Santa Anita in May. He then made a smart run to grab the lead coming into the lane in the Grade 1 Gold Cup there June 27 but couldn’t sustain his run, finishing third. His rider, Gary Stevens, took some of the blame, saying he may have moved too soon to the lead. Also, 10 furlongs may be asking a tad too much from this guy, at least at that level. This is a better trip. HOPPERTUNITY (#3) just missed catching perfect-trip winner Hard Aces by nose in the Gold Cup. He’s got loads of quality and that Gold Cup run, coming just after a third in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster at Churchill June 13 after four months off, shows he’s good as ever. BAYERN (#4) would have been the overwhelming favorite for this a few months ago, but last year’s Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner has tossed in two clunkers since returning from injury this spring. Maybe circumstances worked against him in those two outings and he’ll bounce back to form here, but you wonder if he’s not what he was. Still, it’s too early to say he’s washed up and he may get the trip that is by far the best for him – being clear on the early lead – so he probably has to still be utilized here.

A’s) 3, 6
B’s) 4
C’s) None

Race 9

MICK’S MIRACLE (#2) was a dazzling winner of his debut at Santa Anita the day after Christmas but had a setback and wasn’t seen again until June 11 there. From his rail slot he broke slowly but rushed up to press the pace and stayed on well for third. With that race under his belt he figures awfully tough. However, while he’s my lone ‘A’ it seems prudent to construct a safety net with a few others.

BIG TIRE (#8) has been knocking on the door and may be ready to bust through. While he’s spent nearly all his time routing, note a strong rallying second the only time he’s sprinted in the past year and a half so maybe he can be effective as a late-running sprinter. UNBLUNTED (#1) dueled and ran second, beating ‘MIRACLE in that June 11 race at Santa Anita, and it was this guy’s first start in five months. He’s worked well since but is stuck on the fence. K THIRTY EIGHT (#5) put up two smashing performances to win at Santa Anita March 13 and April 25, both over statebreds. He was off but when returned at this level facing open foes, including some of these, at Santa Anita June 11 he dueled early and faded. It’s nice to see no layoff since and no class drop. He’s also reunited with Solis, who was up for those two big wins. CHASINTHEACES (#10) ran poorly at Santa Anita May 9 at this level but was freshened and came back with a strong second there June 28 at this level. Could be he’s back on track. AIRFOIL (#9) hasn’t won in a while but his last win (May 2014) came at this level and he’s been facing tougher since. The drop helps and that last fourth May 21 looks even better when you note three he faced that day came right back to win.

A’s) 2
B’s) 1, 8
C’s) 5, 9, 10