Hammersly: Santa Anita pick five play for Saturday, March 24, 2018

A thoroughly top-class filly may prove key to Saturday’s early pick five at Santa Anita.

Race 1

BOURBON SOUL (#8) surely needed his Jan. 25 outing here, his first start in 17 months. The gelding can benefit from that run and today's slight drop. EXCESSIVE KID (#4) left himself with too much to do going longer vs. tougher here Feb. 17. The drop helps and he's reunited with Kyle Frey, who was aboard for strong efforts Nov. 11 and Jan. 15. CROWN THE KITTEN (#6) continues his solid form. HAY DUDE (#5) is a tough veteran who has knocked heads vs. tougher.

A’s) 4, 8

B’s) 6

C’s) 5

Race 2

ONCE ON WHISKEY (#5) was a bit slow into stride in his debut here Feb. 3 but ran on nicely for second behind a runaway winner. FACTS MATTER (#1) came back after six months to be a good second here Feb. 25, finishing nine lengths clear of third.

A’s) 5

B’s) 1

C’s) None

Race 3

FAIR REGIS (#3) comes here hot to the touch. The 4-year-old filly has rattled off three straight easy wins, the last coming here Feb. 8 in smashing fashion. While trainer Robert Falcone Jr. risked her for a tag all those times, he takes no such risk of losing her via a claim here. POWDER (#5) dueled from the start before finishing a solid third in a race like this here Feb. 24. LATE 'N LEFT (#1), second in that Feb. 24 race, fits well here.

A’s) 3, 5

B’s) 1

C’s) None

Race 4

FLY FIRST CLASS (#3) showed speed in his first two starts so he figures in the thick of it from the start. It's first-time turf today and he's bred for it. BOB'S BAD BOY (#2) moved to turf for the first time here Feb. 8 and perked up nicely, dueling and finishing third down the hill for $50,000. BRICKHOUSE (#7) returns from a lengthy layoff with plenty of solid works. HIT THE SEAM (#8) is bred for this.

A’s) 2, 3

B’s) 7

C’s) 8

Race 5

PARADISE WOODS (#3) is certainly among the distaff elite, and while she missed some time this winter due to a slight injury, this was the stated target after that setback and she's worked splendidly. SKYE DIAMONDS (#4) was freshened after a decent fourth in the BC F&M Sprint here, and came back to be a good third to SELCOURT in the Grade 3 Las Flores here Feb. 18.

A’s) 3

B’s) 4

C’s) None