Hammersly: How I'd play Santa Anita on Saturday, May 30
The early double and some early pick threes present a quandary as race 2 is loaded with firsters, so unless you play the pick three beginning with race 2, where you can see the wagering and see the horses on the track, you’re flying a bit blind. That doesn’t mean they’re not playable, but we’ll look after race 2 for options. These runners can be critical for your in-race and multirace wagers.
Race 3
SPELLING AGAIN was a fine second down the hill here March 28 to the very talented Sayes So. She was claimed for $40,000 and came back going a mile on turf for $50,000 here April 24 but pulled some early and had no punch, fading to sixth. Peter Miller saw fit to claim her (22 percent off a claim), drops her a bit, and takes off the blinkers, so maybe she’ll settle better. That last running line can help your price.
Race 5
The Grade 1 American Oaks looks brutally tough, particularly as trainer Chad Brown entered three from back East. He only came with two (sent Strict Compliance to Penn National for the Penn Oaks instead), but his MRS MCDOUGAL and CONSUMER CREDIT look awfully tough. So, too, is the invader FEATHERED, who tried turf for the first time in the Grade 3 Edgewood at Churchill on May 1 and promptly went wire to wire.
But I’m going to stick with the top local 3-year-old turf filly SPANISH QUEEN. She’s come a long way in a hurry, to be sure. She only debuted March 5, that a dazzling run as she romped by 5 3/4 lengths on turf. She was a strong, rallying second in the Grade 3 Providencia on April 4 and then an easy winner of the Grade 2 Honeymoon on May 3. She’s shown speed and versatility for trainer Richard Baltas, who continues his superb meet (10 for 31, 32 percent). The presence of those three big invaders should keep her price palatable.
Race 6
BRONZE STAR won his maiden nicely here Oct. 26, beating the likes of Prospect Park. The $500,000 son of Tapit wasn’t seen again until a May 9 sprint here. That day, he had a troubled start but ran on well for second behind the elder Cherubim. A 3-year-old facing elders in early May is no small hurdle, particularly when it’s your first start in more than six months and particularly when you have a miserable start. He’s back in against 3-year-olds here and back to routing, which might be his best game.
Race 9
REAL BIG DEAL didn’t run badly in his dirt-sprint debut here May 9, when he was in a bit tight from his rail draw before finishing fourth. He can benefit from that outing. He moves to turf, for which he’s bred (kin to two turf winners, including Best Present Ever, a turf stakes winner and Grade 1-placed on turf), and a smashing four-furlong work here May 23 (46.20 seconds, second-fastest of 34 works that day) looks like a big thumbs-up that he’s doing well.