Hammersly: Pick three play for Sunday, Aug. 17

A couple inscrutable maiden events in the middle of the card (race 6, 7) make multi-race wagers involving those contests tricky at best. So, we’ll look at the day’s final pick three, races 8-10. Yes, the nightcap is a maiden claimer but there’s ample form on which to base a judgment.

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Race 8

WARREN’S VENEDA (# 7) and UNUSUAL HOTTIE (#8) should relish how this is played. There are a number of speed types in here and both being confirmed closers should relish the pace scenario. Warren’s Veneda’s sharp second in the Osunitas on this course July 19 not only shows she’s sharp, but that she handles this course and fits well at this level. Unusual Hottie has been freshened since a dull fifth and last on the Santa Anita turf June 5 but she’s capable of much better, has run well on this course and in fact was a good third in this race last year.

KATHLEEN ROSE (#3) is a neck away from being a Grade 2 winner. She has been freshened since that big run in the Royal Heroine June 28 and continues her strong form. She’s a must-use but there’s other speed in here to hinder her early. QIAONA (#5) is much better than her last suggests and the return to turf and freshening since may help. She won the only time she tried this course, last year.

A’s) 7, 8

B’s) 3

C’s) 5

Race 9

FORMAT V. (#6) comes off a nice rallying third here July 23 for $8K. Not only did Steve Miyadi see fit to claim him that day but he double-jumps him in class – a great sign – and gets Rafael Bejarano to ride. He has won five time on synthetic, including once here as well as on Keeneland's Polytrack in the spring. CRUSHER (#8) is the one to beat coming off a nice third here Aug. 2. That was his first run here, so it shows he handles this place, but it also came vs. tougher and going longer, so the drop and distance cut-back help.

STREET SERENADE (#5) comes off a fine second routing on this track at this level July 27. Not only was that his first try here but it was his first action in two months. He can improve off that and cutting back a furlong in distance helps, too. COASTAL BREEZE (#2) plunges in class and handled Arlington’s Polytrack nicely before, while TENKILLER KID (#7) wasn’t disgraced going longer at this level here July 27 when fifth, and was claimed by Jeff Bonde, who’s strong off the claim.

A’s) 6, 8

B’s) 5

C’s) 2, 7

Race 10

JENNAKINS (#1) takes the most important drop in the game (straight maiden to maiden claiming. Bejarano takes the call and she has worked twice here since fading to seventh against those tougher foes. RYDEROO (#3) has been knocking on the door for some time and may be ready to finally bust through. She comes off a solid third in a race like this here Aug. 1 and remember, she’s the only one in here who knows what it feels like to have been first under the wire (‘won’ at Santa Anita Feb. 23 only to be DQ’d). DESERT MADAM (#4) dropped back to this level here July 27 and improved to be second. MOM’S WINNER (#10) was just a nose behind Desert Madam so if that horse fits with these – and she certainly does– then doesn’t it follow that Mom’s Winner fits here, too? Darn tootin’ it does. PRIVATE MARINA (#7) has flashed talent and had a troubled start last time, while ABC ME AWESOME (#9) has been working nicely at Los Alamitos for a trainer (Walther Solis) who does well first time out. It’s not as if she needs to be a monster to beat this bunch.

A’s) 1, 3

B’s) 4, 10

C’s) 7, 9