Hammersly: Santa Anita pick three play for Saturday, Oct. 11

Some tough races comprise the final pick three of the day, but they also are big fields, meaning better opportunities for a price.

Race 8

Santa Anita lover TOLEDO EDDIE (#5) not only has been dynamite here (won four of his five local starts), but he comes here sharp off a fine second in a turf race at Del Mar. FULL DANCER (#8) was a sharp third in his return to dirt Sept. 21 at Los Alamitos. This is the footing he prefers, and you know he’s a warrior – you don’t win 11 of 28 by accident. GOT EVEN (#1) is like Toledo Eddie in that he loves it here. He continues his good form, and his speed can utilize the rail. RUSTY ROAD (#3) was second, beaten just a nose Sept. 21 at Los Alamitos, after setting the pace, finishing a half-length ahead of Full Dancer. He’s headed the right way, and a strong work here Oct. 5 (59.80 seconds) says he’s doing well. CONSCIENCE (#7) won his maiden at Del Mar like a comer for Tom Proctor.

A’s) 5, 8
B’s) 1, 3
C’s) 7

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Race 9

A tough renewal of the California Distaff down the dip, but TRIBAL SPY (#9) adores this course (has won 3 of 7) and has been pointing for this after running fourth in a turf sprint stakes at Del Mar. VELVET MESQUITE (#11) likewise thinks she owns the hill (she has won 4 of 5 on it). She’s been freshened since fading on Del Mar’s main track July 17. She’s been working well. GO WEST MARIE (#10) wasn’t far at all behind Velvet Mesquite when third on this course June 20 (less than a length) and just chased Grade 1 gal Reneesgotzip and Top Kisser (who came back to win the Grade 3 L.A. Woman here last weekend) in a stakes Sept. 3 at Del Mar. QIAONA (#4) won this last year at a price and appears to be coming here in good form after a nice rallying second on the Del Mar sod. CIAO BELLA LUNA (#7) has surprised down the hill before. She was too close to the pace last time.

A’s) 9, 11
B’s) 4, 10
C’s) 7

Race 10

An inscrutable bunch of maiden claimers. LAMIST (#12) has yet to threaten in three starts, but all that came against tougher and on turf (1) and synthetic (2). She drops and gets her first crack at dirt – and she’s worked very nicely here of late. YES SHE’S A DANCER (#4) has run some good races against tougher so today’s drop may be key, particularly as she catches a very suspect bunch. FOREST TREES (#11) has worked well for her debut for Pete Miller, who is strong first time out (20 percenet), while HONEY IN PARADISE (#4) showed improvement Sept. 19 at Los Alamitos when second, and another move forward could put her in the mix.

A’s) 4, 12
B’s) 11
C’s) 5