Hammersly: Pick three for Santa Anita for Sunday, Oct. 26

A dropper in the first leg of the day’s last pick three may give you a nice starting point.

Race 7

PRESIDING JUSTICE (#3) has done nothing wrong in five starts, with two wins and three seconds, and three of those good outings (debut win, next two seconds) came on this track. He won nicely at Del Mar on Aug. 16 and takes a significant drop. The drop is a bit worrisome, but a steady work tab says he’s doing well enough to beat these.

Should he falter, COMPULSIVE (#2) could take advantage as the gelding is given an encouraging two-level value hike after a smart win here Oct. 4. His two wins both came on this track. ECHO ZULU (#10) hasn’t run since Dec. 28 and takes a significant drop. Both aspects are troublesome, but trainer Peter Miller is strong off the bench, and it’s not as if he drops this guy to the bottom.

A’s) 3
B’s) 2
C’s) 10

Race 8

PURE TACTICS (#5) is a stakes-winning turf sprinter, yes, but note two wins at this longer distance on turf. His fourth in the Grade 3 Eddie D. was better than it at first looks, as he had a troubled start and was left with too much to do. BOYETTE (#9) was a very nice second in the Grade 3 Longacres Mile on dirt at Emerald on Aug. 24. He’s been freshened and returns to what may be his best footing. He does have to overcome a far outside slot.

ARTEST (#8) pretty much fires every time. He won a turf race at this trip at Del Mar on Aug. 15, so the game suits, and a bullet 59.20-second move here Oct. 19 says he’s doing well. He was fifth, just a quarter-length behind PURE TACTICS, in the aforementioned Eddie D.

STARSPANGLED HEAT (#3) was a respectable fourth against tougher in both the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap and Grade 2 John Henry, and he may actually be better at this shorter trip, while HAY DUDE (#4) makes his first start in the United States since some good work in Europe. He hasn’t run in more than 11 months but has been working splendidly of late.

A’s) 5, 9
B’s) 8
C’s) 3, 4

Race 9

OH NEWMAN (#2) takes the most important drop in the game (straight maiden to maiden claiming) for Phil D’Amato, who has had much success with this move (four for his last eight, 50 percent). The colt showed talent at Del Mar this summer.

SKY HEART (#1) dueled in a spot like this here Oct. 3 and paid the price, fading to be a well-beaten third (5 3/4 lengths). Still, that was a nice show of speed and a good try for his first start in a couple months. With that speed and the rail, and that last run under his belt, he can be scary.

GNARLY HARLY (#8) showed talent when he ran on decently to be second in his $62,500 debut at Del Mar on Aug. 20. He next tried straight maidens and turf here Oct. 10, but that didn’t go well. He’s back in for a tag and moves to dirt for the first time, and it’s been on this main track where he’s been working well.

A’s) 1, 2
B’s) 8
C’s) None