Hammersly: How I'd play Los Alamitos on Saturday, July 4
My focus for this Los Alamitos program will be the end-of-the-day pick four (races 6-9) as it appears to offer some opportunities. While there may be some confusing aspects to three of the legs (maiden races in legs 1 and 2, then restricted claimers in leg 4), a short field with a couple strong combatants in the Los Alamitos Derby (leg 3) may allow you to branch out in those other races to try to snag a price.
Race 6
XINGONTOTHEBONE (#4) was a fine third against tougher in a stakes June 21 at Santa Anita. Moving back in against maidens may be just what the doctor ordered. TRIBAL ROAR (#8) has shown ability in his works toward his debut for a trainer who did well in these short 2-year-old races at Santa Anita.
COUNTERPLAY (#3) was away slowly in his debut at Santa Anita but ran on decently and has worked well since. BULLY PULPIT (#5) showed tactical speed in his debut and could improve. SPEEDIN WITH EDDIE (#7) has worked well and is by a sire (Square Eddie) who gets precocious runners.
A’s) 4, 8
B’s) 3, 5
C’s) 7
:: See Mike Hammersly's Ticketmaker pick four play
Race 7
CLASS DIVINE (#8) was no factor on turf against much tougher June 5 at Santa Anita. She's back to dirt and down in class, and that may be key. She was a fine second for $30,000 on dirt at Santa Anita two back. MUCHO BLESSINGS (#3) just missed when a fine second routing at Golden Gate against more expensive. She drops and, if able to bring that form to dirt, is a big threat. GOOSE BUMPS (#9) was no factor in her first two starts, both at Santa Anita. Both, however, came against tougher. She drops, has been freshened, and gets blinkers.
A’s) 3, 8
B’s) 9
C’s) None
Race 8
KENTUCKIAN (#4) sparkled winning the Grade 3 Lazaro Barrera on May 10 at Santa Anita. He looks like a real comer, has been freshened, and worked wonderfully since. We'll take a stand with him as our only 'A.' PROSPECT PARK (#5) was inked in for the Kentucky Derby but had a setback and had to pass. His Grade 3 Affirmed second was decent, but he can do better.
A’s) 4
B’s) 5
C’s) None
Race 9
YAWANNAGOKID (#3) hasn't been much of a factor of late, but she's been facing tougher. The move down to this level may be key. HAAAY SEXY LADY (#1) ran second to more expensive open foes May 16 at Santa Anita. She's not only down in price but facing restricted foes and has two nice recent works. BEYOND LUCKY (#9) chased the pace before weakening to ninth against similar at Santa Anita last month. She was claimed and showed in a couple races in the spring that she can do much better. LADY NOW (#8) ran one of her best races here so returning to this place may help.
A’s) 1, 3
B’s) 8, 9
C’s) None