Hammersly: Santa Anita late pick three play for Sunday, Oct. 29

Some big fields provide an opportunity for a nice return on a late pick three (races 8-10) at Santa Anita on Sunday. One of those races is an inscrutable renewal of the Grade 3 Autumn Miss at a mile on the turf, as the very nature of such a tough race can lead to a nice payoff.

Race 8
Since we’re going to be spreading big in the next leg to try and catch a price, we have to take a stand here so likely favorite ONE I’M RUNNING (#9) looks right. He has easily the best form in the race and the drop after a decent second for $22,500 (this is for $12,500) can do the trick. He’s also 2 for 5 here so the place suits. BLACK TIE ‘N TAILS (#6) seems a decent back-up, even if he hasn’t run for over 10 months. He drops slightly for his first start back, has run well before off the bench and his trainer Peter Miller has strong numbers off a long layoff like this.

A’s) 9
B’s) 6
C’s) None

Race 9
This race borders on the impossible, and no one would criticize you for hitting the ‘All’ button. But we’re going to at least try to cut the field down and have a few priority plays. MEADOWSWEET (#9) was far from disgraced in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks on Aug. 19 when she led into the lane before finishing fifth, beaten just two lengths. This drop may be just what the doctor ordered. LULL (#11) invaded from back East for Del Mar’s Grade 2 San Clemente and nearly won, finishing second. She has since won a stakes at Kentucky Downs and was third in a Grade 3 at Keeneland, so she’s got more than enough quality. TAPPED (#4) rallied furiously to just miss when second by a head against many of these in the Unzip Me on this hillside course Sept. 30. She’s proven she can play this longer game as well. CHOCOLATE COATED (#5) found the Grade 3 Torrey Pines on Del Mar dirt too much to handle but she moved back to this hillside course Oct. 6 and was an impressive winner. They toss her right back into Grade 3 stakes waters. STORM THE HILL (#6) rallied strongly to win the aforementioned Unzip Me on this course Sept. 30, beating many of her Sunday rivals and she might well do it again. The added ground might only help her late run. MISS SOUTHERN MISS (#2) left herself with too much to do when fifth behind a bunch of these in the Unzip Me but that was her first start in almost eight months so she can improve. SPIN ME A KISS (#8) just missed in the Unzip Me when a game third, beaten just a neck. She has loads of speed and is proven routing, having won the only two times she’s done so. BEAUTIFUL BECCA (#3) is heading the right way for Jerry Hollendorfer. She comes off a smart win going longer here this meet and three super works since including a bullet say she’s thriving.

A’s) 4, 9, 11
B’s) 2, 5, 6
C’s) 3, 8

Race 10
MEANIE IRENE (#3) was well regarded enough to get a shot in Keeneland’s Grade 1 Ashland on April 8. Alas, that was a disaster and she was eased. She’s been gone since, but has worked well for a trainer who does well off the bench, and returning to sprinting may help, too. BOWIE (#4), a $750,000 daughter of Malibu Moon, came out firing to win her debut at Saratoga. Trouble is, that was in July 2016 and she hasn’t been seen since. However, her Hall of Fame trainer Dick Mandella is more than capable of having her ready off this long layoff and she’s been working well. RUBY TRUST (#9) is another who hasn’t run in some time (almost nine months) but hinted at ample ability last winter.

A’s) 3, 4
B’s) 9
C’s) None