Hammersly: Pick three play for Santa Anita on Saturday, Feb. 14

Some big, competitive fields make the day’s last pick three (races 7-9) attractive. You have options, and there appears to be plenty of value in each leg.

Race 7

AVENGE (#12) ran on decently for third on dirt here Jan. 19, chasing home the highly promising Bob Baffert filly Fantastic Style. She’s worked well since and may love the surface switch as she’s by top turf sire War Front. She’s also Gary Stevens’ first call in this race. ENTRECHAT (#8) was an excellent second in her debut on this hillside course Jan. 9. She looks like the real deal, which is no surprise as she’s by Giant’s Causeway (multiple Group 1 winner on turf in Europe). She also cost $280,000 at auction, so there are expectations here. A snappy six-furlong work here Feb. 9 (1:13.60) says she’s doing well.

BOAT DRINKS (#6) ran too good to lose in her debut on the hill here Jan. 3, stalking the pace early, taking command after coming out from behind the trees, and finishing a game second, beaten just a neck. That surely stamps her as one of the ones here. It is worth noting that Stevens, who was up that day, has two other calls in this race. AUTUMN FLOWER (#1) finished smartly for fifth, beaten just two lengths, when last seen going a mile on turf Nov. 8 at Del Mar. Remember, too, she had an impossible post that day (#10), and the winner Suva Harbor won her next start and now is a stakes filly. A bullet 1:12.40 work here Jan. 27 says she’s ready.

KIANA BELIEVES (#3) showed good speed in her debut on dirt here Jan. 10 before fading to sixth. She switches surfaces but is bred for this, has worked smartly since, and gets Rafael Bejarano, who has done terrifically with trainer Richard Baltas (29 percent together the past 13-plus months).

A’s) 8, 12
B’s) 1, 6
C’s) 3

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Race 8

Not only is WARREN’S VENEDA (#6) a tough cookie, proven here (two wins), proven at this level, and proven recently (comes off a romping win in the Paseana here Jan. 11), but the race may shake out in her favor. There’s a load of speed signed up here, so she should get the type of hot, contested pace she desires for her late-kick style.

THEGIRLINTHATSONG (#2) looked super winning the Grade 2 La Canada here Jan. 17. The filly may have turned the corner, and she’s got the versatility to give rider Bejarano options, including taking back if they sizzle early. TIZ MIDNIGHT (#3) pressed the pace but fizzled in the aforementioned Paseana, but she’s better than that run indicates, and it’s encouraging to see no layoff since by Baffert and that he wheels her back in a tough spot like this.

A’s) 6
B’s) 2, 3
C’s) None

Race 9

HAVANNA BELLE (#4) comes from Ireland not only with good form but with form against huge fields and boys to boot. BELLE ET BETE (#8) wasn’t disgraced in her U.S. debut Nov. 29 at Del Mar when sixth in the Grade 3 Jimmy Durante, beaten just 2 3/4 lengths. She then was wide and no factor when fifth here Jan. 25 but is capable of better, and shortening up to a sprint may do the trick. A bullet work here Feb. 7 says she’s doing well.

SHE’S A BIG WINNER (#10) finished gamely to win a highly contested race on this hillside course Jan. 9. She may be this good. BOBBI GRACE (#2) looked good powering home to beat lesser here Jan. 16. She may be fully acclimated to her new surroundings.

MAYBELLENE (#1) was a strong third Dec. 13 in the Grade 1 Starlet at Los Alamitos but a disappointing eighth in the Grade 1 Las Virgenes on dirt here Jan. 31. Baffert moves her to turf for the first time, but she’s handled synthetic, often a good omen for turf prowess, and is kin to a turf winner. Surely the drop helps, too.

A’s) 4, 8
B’s) 2, 10
C’s) 1