Hammersly: Santa Anita pick four for Saturday, Oct. 8

The top-class miler OBVIOUSLY may prove the linchpin in leg 2 (race 8), allowing you to spread to try to nail a price in the other competitive races. Of course, if you can beat him, well, then you’ll eliminate many tickets, so while he rates as your “A,” it seems silly to bank solely on him, as good as he is.

Race 7

REDNECK CRAZY (10) looks spotted for action. He comes off a second and third vs. more expensive $16,000 foes. Not only does he drop in price, but that last run came vs. open rivals. He’s facing restricted (N2L) today. BOOMPA (2) has been knocking on the door, with four seconds and two thirds in his last six starts. It may be his day to finally bust through. EXEMPLAR (9) finished a well-beaten third at this level at Los Alamitos on Sept. 15, but that was routing. He returns to what is likely his preferred game (sprinting) here. ETAILER (7) may be ready to peak as he was a so-so fourth (behind EXEMPLAR and BOOMPA in second and third) at Del Mar on Aug. 27 and then a better second at Los Alamitos on Sept. 22. He gets an encouraging value hike off that good, rallying effort.

A’s) 2, 10
B’s) 9
C’s) 7

Race 8

OBVIOUSLY (8) remains the measuring stick out West for turf milers. He lost narrowly in a couple stakes here last winter but, after a layoff, blasted a good group in Belmont’s Grade 3 Poker on June 18. He’s been freshened again and figures big off the bench. HOOTENANNY (6) got back on track with an impressive win at Belterra Park. He’s stepping way up here, but he’s a Grade 1 winner on this course and at this trip. OM (4) was freshened and came back sizzling to be second to top miler Midnight Storm in Del Mar’s Grade 2 Del Mar Mile. He has the speed to keep OBVIOUSLY in his sights.

A’s) 8
B’s) 4, 6
C’s) None

Race 9

ENTER THE CODE (6) dueled and tired to end up second at this level at Los Alamitos on Sept. 15, but he has blinkers removed and showed his readiness with a big bullet three-furlong work here Monday (34.60 seconds). WESTMONT (9) finished second, more than four lengths ahead of ENTER THE CODE, when they met at Del Mar on Aug. 11. He next ran third but obviously can do better. DOWNSIDE UP (11) was an even fourth at Los Alamitos on Sept. 18, but that came vs. tougher, straight maidens, so the drop helps. He also knows what it feels like to win, having “won” here July 10 (was disqualified to second).

A’s) 6, 9
B’s) 11
C’s) None

Race 10

SIBERIAN IRIS (2) has worked strongly for Richard Mandella and is bred all over for turf. That she posted a bullet Sept. 28 is most encouraging as Mandella usually doesn’t press down on his firsters too hard in their final work before a start, so it means she likely did it on her own. PARTYINTHEPADDOCK (10) ran second in a very strong dirt sprint at Del Mar on Aug. 14, her only start. She’s been given time since and moves to turf. CIAO BELLA ROSA (13) has been knocking on the door, and it may be her turn. DIVA LA MOUSSE(4) showed good speed in her first two starts and is bred to love turf.

A’s) 2, 10
B’s) 4, 13
C’s) None