Hammersly: How I'd play Santa Anita for Saturday, Feb. 21

There are a few runners on Saturday’s card at Santa Anita who have appeal and can prove quite useful in your various in-race wagers and multi-race wagers.

Race 4

CHATI’S ON TOP was knocking on the door in the fall with a third at this level on this hillside course Oct. 26, and then a better third (beaten a neck) routing against tougher at Del Mar on Nov. 28 and a solid second routing at this level here Dec. 31. She has been freshened, returns to the hill, has worked well, and doesn’t face anyone like the real sharp Smoove It, whom she chased home last time.

She can be used on top with SUSAN B. GOOD, who has run well on the hill, and DISCATSONTHESQUARE, who handled the hill well when second in her only try on it last June 14, was then sidelined and came back firing to easily beat maidens on dirt here Feb. 6.

Race 5

TIZ MY CHERRIE ships in from Golden Gate, where she was a sharp second in her debut Jan. 18. Not only did she set the pace and stay on well for second but she finished well clear of third (four lengths). Yes, it’s first time shipping and first time on dirt but she’s bred for this and trainer Blaine Wright has sure picked his invasion spots well (2 for 2). She can be hooked up with SHE’SOVERTHEMOON, who debuts off plenty of strong works and is wonderfully bred (lone sibling is Grade 2 and Grade 3 winner Sparkling Review); BETH’S BLING, a solid fourth in a very strong maiden race at Los Alamitos on Dec. 4 (winner Callback just won the Grade 1 Las Virgenes here, runner-up Glory came back to whip maidens and then finished second in the California Oaks at Golden Gate last weekend, and third finisher Ben’s Duchess beat maidens next time out); and MAHEE, a first-timer who cost $370,000 at auction and has worked smartly for this first run.

Race 7

SAYES SO chased a very nice filly in Dancingthenightaway here Dec. 27 when second. That filly had won her two prior starts and next was one of the favorites in the Grade 2 Santa Monica here last month, though she found that spot too deep. Sayes So then came back on the rail here Jan. 25, dueled early and paid the price, weakening to third. She moves to the outside and a super four-furlong work here Feb. 11 (46 seconds flat; second fastest of 29 four-furlong works that day) says she’s ready to go. She can be hooked up with COURAGEOUS CALL, who rallied to beat her Jan. 25, her first start in seven months, and PICA, a sharp second (beaten just a head) for a tag here Jan. 19 in her first start in nine months. She moves to where she can’t be claimed away and can move forward off that outing.

Race 9

GIMME DA LUTE could be key to the end of your day with late pick three, the pick four, and pick six. This son of champion sprinter Midnight Lute comes off a superb second to start his career here Jan. 31 (beaten just a nose). Trainer Bob Baffert adds blinkers (24 percent angle) and while Baffert is well-known for his prowess first-time out he’s even better second time out (25 percent). From his outside slot, Gimme Da Lute can stalk and go on for the money in the lane. He looks like a solid single, and hey, you have to take a stand somewhere, right? His in-race appeal may work with HOWDY, who has been knocking on the door of late for trainer Peter Eurton, who’s having a strong meet (20 percent) and D’ CHURCH, a firster who has worked splendidly for this first run for Eric Guillot, who’s quite capable first-time out (2 for last 18, 11 percent).