Hammersly: How I'd play Santa Anita on Sunday, April 12

The first three races of the day seem fairly inscrutable, and with short fields in each, it makes the prospect of finding a price option that much tougher. A few runners later on the card, however, could be key for in-race and multirace plays.

Race 4

FRESH FELINE comes off a fine rallying second going 1 1/8 miles on this course and at this level March 7, and judging by the way she finished, she’ll relish the added furlong here. She’s worked well since to show that she holds her edge. She can be tied with HUG AND KISS (Group 3-placed in France going longer than this; can benefit from her first two U.S. tries, which were also her first races since last summer) and HALLJOY (another former Euro who won her U.S. debut at Del Mar on Aug. 31, ran evenly to be fourth here Oct. 13, but has been freshened since, and as her Del Mar win shows, she can fire fresh).

Race 6

HUMORISTICA came out firing to win her turf-sprint debut here Jan. 29, then was a decent fifth (had traffic issues) down the hill in her first try vs. winners here Feb. 28. A couple of things help here – she moves to dirt and longer, and she’s bred for both, being by Distorted Humor (sire of the likes of Grade 1 Kentucky Derby/Preakness winner Funny Cide) and out of the wonderful Halfbridled (champion 2-year-old filly who was a multiple Grade 1 route winner on dirt). She also worked a strong six furlongs on dirt in 1:12.80 here March 31 to show that she not only handles the dirt but comes here feeling spry. CRUSHED HEART (showed big talent in late 2013/early 2014, was then gone more than 14 months and surely needed her March sprint return) and DAKOTA RED (tries dirt for the first time but is bred for it; showed ample talent before a dull run going longer on turf here last time) can be linked with her.

Race 7

SMOOTH TALKER looked like a new mare here March 6 when she blasted $12,500 N2L claimers by 7 1/4 lengths sprinting on dirt. Doug O’Neill doubles her in value, a great sign, and while he moves her to turf, note that she’s won on this footing before. A bullet three furlongs in 34.80 seconds at Los Alamitos on April 8 says she holds her edge. ALWAYS A CHANCE (proven effective down the hill and at this level and coming off a sharp second when claimed) and NAZARETH (perked up to rally for third behind ALWAYS A CHANCE in that March 22 race at this level and on this course, hinting that she might have found her level after failing to threaten tougher) can be partnered with her.

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