Hammersly: Pick three play at Los Alamitos for Sunday, Dec. 6

The fields aren’t big but taking a stand with a couple claimers later on Sunday’s card a Los Alamitos give a late pick three (races 6-8) some appeal.

Race 6

MUDGE (#2) isn’t just 2 for 2 here, but the wins were dominant. She comes here sharp after dueling and staying on to be a good third in a race just like this at Del Mar on Nov. 12. So she’s in good form and moves to her favorite place.

FLYIN FOR A LIVIN (#1) dueled with Mudge in that Nov. 12 race at Del Mar and weakened to fourth, beaten 2 1/2 lengths by Mudge. However, it was her first start in almost two months so she can benefit from that outing. And like Mudge, Flying for a Livin has done good work here. His only two wins came locally, in just four starts. SUMMERS DIGNITY (#3) posted two seconds here in September (her only two tries here) so she handles this place as well. She faded to eighth on turf at Golden Gate last time out on Oct. 29 but moves back to dirt.

A: 2

B: 1, 3

Race 7

BASMATI (#4) comes here razor sharp, having won three of his last four. That includes a romping win here Sept. 17. And the lone loss in that stretch still saw him finish second to a runaway winner in a restricted stakes here eight days later.

GUNS LOADED (#6) dueled and ran third to Basmati at Del Mar on Nov. 5. Peter Miller saw fit to claim him and brings him back as a gelding off a strong bullet work at San Luis Rey on Nov. 24. That last run was also a nice step forward after a couple dull outings following a two-month hiatus. EL NINO TERRIBLE (#2) worked wonderfully for his Nov. 12 return on turf at Del Mar, his first start in seven months, but he had a dreadful trip. Doug O’Neill not only claimed him but now drops him a ton and returns him to dirt.

JUANAGAIN (#3) comes here off a six-length laugher over cheaper restricted foes at Del Mar on Nov. 13, his fourth straight strong outing (two wins, two seconds). He has worked wonderfully since and may be this good.

A: 4

B: 2, 6

C: 3

Race 8

AVANTI BELLO (#2) may have turned the corner. He’s progressed well the past few months, including running third in a stakes here Sept. 12. He comes off an easy win at Del Mar on Nov. 6. Those all came vs. statebreds and he faces open foes here, but he may be ready for such a task. DREAM TEAM (#7) is by all-world sire Tapit and cost a cool $1 million at auction. He was a sharp second here Sept. 19 and then wired maidens at Del Mar on Nov. 19 at this distance, his first route. It’s a big step up in class to face winners for the first time but he has always been cut out to be a nice horse and may be ready to deliver on that promise.

FOLLOW ME CREV (#9) comes here off some sharp turf races but he’s proven on dirt as well and a sharp recent bullet work (four furlongs in 46 seconds flat at Santa Anita on Nov. 23, best of 53 half-mile works that day) hints he’s feeling spry. DREAM POLICE (#4) was a nice second here Sept. 19 so he handles this place. He looks to rebound after a wide trip vs. some toughies at Santa Anita. GRAZEN SKY (#6) has ample back class as he’s a stakes winner and multiple stakes-placed. He likely needed that race at Del Mar on Nov. 14, his first start in three months.

A: 2, 7

B: 4, 6, 9

:: See Michael Hammersly’s pick three play in DRF TicketMaker and bet it with DRF Bets