Hammersly: Pick three play at Santa Anita for Saturday, Oct. 18

The final pick three of the day (races 7-9) may involve two maiden races but neither seems inscrutable, as can often be the case. They sandwich a competitive grass event where you may find a price.

Race 7

CYRUS ALEXANDER (#10) is no secret as the son of Medaglia d’Oro cost $1.7 million at auction. He has worked smartly for his debut. Oh, the reason for the huge price tag: he’s kin to Super Saver (won Grade 1 Kentucky Derby), as well as Brethren (Grade 3 winner) and Charge Now (stakes-placed).

Of the experienced hands FAME AND POWER (#9) has shown talent. He was a sharp second in his debut at Del Mar on Sept. 3. He didn’t repeat that here Sept. 27 (ran sixth) but gets blinkers and has worked strongly since. KANTUNE (#6) has been knocking on the door and a strong 59.60-second work here Oct. 13 shows he’s doing well. GHOST OF NAVIGATOR (#2) blew the start in his debut at Del Mar on Sept. 3 but may improve for a trainer, Ron Ellis, who does very well second time out (21 percent). This son of Horse of the Year Mineshaft is kin to two winners.

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Race 5

A’s) 10

B’s) 6, 9

C’s) 2

Race 8

TANGELO (#5) and CHILADA (#4) just finished a head apart when third and fourth, respectively, in an open turf mile event here Sept. 28. That shows they’re close in quality and that they like this course and this trip. That Sept. 28 run came vs. open foes; they face statebreds here.

BOLLER BOMB (#11) looks back on track as after a string of not-so-hot outings she was a sharp second for $25,000 on this course at this trip Oct. 2. Three of her four turf wins have come on this course.

HIGHLY RATED (#6) hasn’t won since August 2012 but she has run plenty of good races and it’s noteworthy leading rider Rafael Bejarano stays with her.

A’s) 4, 5

B’s) 11

C’s) 6

Race 9

ROPER (#8) takes the most significant drop in the game (straight maiden to maiden claiming). His sharp second (beaten a nose) on Los Alamitos dirt July 4 shows this footing fits. You can forgive her fifth as the 4-5 favorite last time there Sept. 20 as she blew the start. SONIC FEVER (#11) dueled and finished a sharp second at this level in his debut at Los Alamitos on Sept. 11. He’s obviously a good fit.

SINDYS LUCK (#7) has worked well for his debut for a trainer who does well first time out (Jeff Mullins; 18 percent) while CONDITION (#1) showed talent in his first two starts, both here (ran third and fourth), and gets blinkers.

A’s) 8, 11

B’s) 1, 7

C’s) None