Hammersly: Los Alamitos pick three play for Sunday, July 12
Some competitive races on the back end of the Sunday card give the last pick three some appeal.
Race 7
SAVANNAH SKY (#5) may have turned the corner. After two good seconds at Santa Anita, she broke through to get her diploma there June 5 for trainer Richard Baltas, who continues his superb year. It's also encouraging jockey Rafael Bejarano stays put, and there are three nice works since. It is her first run against winners so that's a hurdle.
DISSENSION (#4) is one of those winners who figures tough. The 5-year-old mare is a 10-time winner, and she comes off some sharp turf races, but don't fret over the footing – three of her wins have come on dirt. She was claimed by the sharp Philip D'Amato for $40,000 last time (23 percent off the claim).
KYANKES (#7) gives Baltas two looks at this. She's won two of her last three, and the two wins came the only two times she's raced at this mile distance, so you know that suits. It may be telling, though, that Bejarano was up for her last four starts but ends up on Baltas's other runner here instead.
FANTASTIC MIZZ (#3) is best known for her turf work. She was claimed for $40,000 last time out, and new owner-trainer Carlos Lopez moves her to dirt for the first time. While that's a hurdle, her works on this track are most encouraging (bullet six furlongs in 1:11.80 June 27).
A’s) 4, 5
B’s) 7
C’s) 3
Race 8
SWISS MINISTER (#4) was fairly one paced when fourth June 21 in the Santa Anita Juvenile. However, it's noteworthy top rider Bejarano stays with him, and there's a sharp recent five-furlong work to indicate he's doing well. He figures to be a price and may get a nice trip from just off the pace as there are a few speedsters in here who should ensure some brisk, contested fractions.
DUBDUBWATSON (#3) pressed the pace before fading to fifth in the Santa Anita Juvenile, but his prior two outings show ample talent, and somebody obviously saw something he liked as he was favored in that race (2-1). Trainer John Brocklebank knows how to handles babies as his five wins this year have all come with 2-year-olds. A big bullet five-furlong work here July 7 (58.80 seconds) bodes well for a bounce back.
MRAZEK (#1) came out smoking to win his debut at Santa Anita and was a sharp second June 21 in the Santa Anita Juvenile, finishing ahead of a number of these, including the top two. It may be noteworthy, though, that Mario Gutierrez, who was up for those first two smart outings, ends up on Doug O'Neill's other runner (Ralis).
RALIS (#5) looked super blasting maidens June 13 at Santa Anita, a run that looks even better when you note the runner-up Hot Ore came right back to win. As noted, Gutierrez rode O'Neill's two entrants in this race in their most recent outings and ends up here.
A’s) 3, 4
B’s) 1, 5
C’s) None
:: See Mike Hammersly's TicketMaker pick three play
Race 9
ARTIC WARRIOR (#1) looks ready to bust through. He's been knocking on the door with improving form after almost 16 months on the bench, and that solid second here July 2 at this level shows he handles this place and is a solid fit for this tag.
OUR TROOPER (#3) has had lots of chances to be sure, but after almost two months off, he dropped back to this level for his first start over this track and took a big step forward, finishing a sharp second at 52-1. He might well have won except his rider misjudged the finish line. He gets a new pilot here.
DEE FOR DAVE (#7) appears to be coming around. After a dull debut at Santa Anita last month, he came here, posted a sizzling three-furlong bullet work (33.60) June 23, added blinkers, and backed up that work with a good third (just behind Our Trooper) July 2.
A’s) 1
B’s) 3, 7
C’s) None
