Hammersly: Pick three play for Santa Anita on Sunday, April 26
A gal returning to her best game, another filly who looks quite attractive as she makes her U.S. debut, and a gelding who looks like a brand new horse after a layoff give a mid-card pick three (races 4-6) some appeal.
Race 4
ZEE’S CHRIS (#7) isn’t exactly a win machine (3 for 33), but some of her best work has come at this mile trip. She was gone nine months, came back with a couple so-so sprint efforts recently, but here gets back to a mile. She also gets blinkers, and a bullet 47.20-second work April 19 at Los Alamitos encourages.
MIDNIGHT LADY (#2) ran third in a race just like this here March 19, though she wasn’t really a factor in the lane (beaten seven lengths). Still, she won a race just like this here Feb. 15, so she fits well here, and she was claimed last time by Julio Canani, who of course over the years has proven quite adroit at the claiming game.
CHOCOLATE DELIGHT (#6) probably is the one to beat as she comes off a nice second in a race just like this here March 19. In fact, she was well clear of Midnight Lady in third that day (3 3/4 lengths). While she’s a must-use, she also may be the well-bet type you try to beat. After all, she’ll be a shorter number, but she hasn’t won since September 2012 at Fairplex and missed the entire 2014 racing season, so there remains some cause for pause.
A’s) 2, 7
B’s) 6
C’s) None
Race 5
DIVINA COMEDIA (#8) looks scary first time in the U.S. as she showed ample talent in France. She was fifth in her last start there Nov. 20, but that was in a field of 18. It’s hard to believe, too, but she was sent off at 3-5 in that huge field, so that shows you how much people loved her that day. She’s been working lights out for this first U.S. start for Canani, who over the years has handled imports very nicely (Val Royal and Silic, for example).
ARTISTIC CHARM (#4) likewise is a Euro invader, but she’s already run here once, that being a solid third on this course. The gal she chased (Sayes So) is a real nice Richard Mandella filly.
AMELIATHEAVIATOR (#6) showed she belongs with two rallying seconds on this course at this level earlier this meet. She didn’t repeat that when seventh here March 28 but was closer to the pace that day. She looks better suited to being taken a hold and allowed to make one big run.
CHATI’S ON TOP (#5) just beat Cal-breds in a turf route here March 19, so she’s sharp. Note, though, a fine third (beaten just a neck) vs. this caliber of open rivals on the Del Mar sod Nov. 28. In other words, she fits.
PROVENANCE (#12) hasn’t been seen since July, but Mike Puype does well off the bench, and this gal’s best races have come on this hillside course.
A’s) 4, 8
B’s) 5, 6
C’s) 12
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Race 6
OLD MAN LAKE (#4) appears to have come back a new horse. After a couple dull outings last spring/summer, he was gone for some time (eight months). However, he came back to post a 21-1 upset for $8,000 sprinting here March 6 and then upped the ante by blasting $12,500 rivals by 6 3/4 lengths routing here April 2, earning a big Beyer in the process (91). Becerra not only saw fit to claim him that day but brings him back where he can’t lose him via another claim, which is a great sign. There’s a snappy five-furlong work here since, too (59.40).
BRAVE ACT (#2) dueled and faded here Feb. 16, but not only did he get into a duel, but it was his first start in eight months. He then was a nice second on turf here March 8 and a game winner on this track at this distance March 29. His best work has come with Bejarano aboard, and that’s who’s riding today, which may take on more importance as it looks as though Bejarano may have had options in this race.
MISSING GROOM (#1) came back after three months to be a so-so sixth in a sprint here March 1. He moved back to routing, his preferred game, here March 13 and improved nicely to finish second. He looks back on track.
ROCKO’S WHEEL (#6) broke slowly in a sprint stakes here April 4 (the Echo Eddie) but ran on decently for fourth. The drop helps, and while it’s his first route, he’s bred for it. He’s worked well since, too.
A’s) 2, 4
B’s) 1
C’s) 6