Hammersly: Santa Anita pick three for Saturday, April 11

Race 7

RITZY TAGS (#3) comes here sharp and seems to enjoy this track best. That was a nice gal she chased home last time when second, and two smart works since say she holds her edge. PARTY ROCK (#9) gives Bob Baffert two big looks at this (he also saddles Ritzy Tags). She plummets in class, and maybe that’s what’s needed after failing to threaten in her last three. She’s worked well of late, too. KISS AT MIDNIGHT (#8) was a well-beaten third here March 14, but that run came vs. elders and it’s a tall order for a 3-year-old to deal with elders so early in the year. She’s back in vs. 3-year-olds today and that could prove critical. NATALIE’S WONDER (#1) won a race just like this here Dec. 31. She then had a troubled start and was no factor as the 6-5 favorite here Jan. 18, but she’s been laid off and that may get her back on track.

A’s) 3, 9
B’s) 1, 8
C’s) None

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Race 8

GO WEST MARIE (#6) has really come into her own, winning three straight, including stakes on this hillside course in her last two starts. She should get another nice pace set-p. HEAVENS STAIRWAY (#8) has won 5 of 7on this hillside course, so she loves it. She blew the start in a stakes here Jan. 24 and finished well behind a few of these, but she bounced right back to win easily. She figures tough, particularly as she’s versatile enough to give her rider options. BLINGISMYTHING (#5) has been freshened since two strong turf mile outings, both vs. some real toughies. The only time she tried the hill she won. THEATRE STAR (#1) has shown big ability at times, and while she hasn’t run since Oct. 4, she’s proven fresh. This is also her first sprint, but routers with speed have often run well onthe hillside course. HOME JOURNEY (#2) gave GO WEST MARIE fits here Jan. 24 and was flattered when GO WEST MARIE came back to win another stakes. This girl can sizzle early, though there’s other speed to deal with.

A’s) 6, 8
B’s) 1, 5
C’s) 2

Race 9

FLEXIBLE (#2) takes the most important drop in the game (straight maiden to maiden claiming). He also returns to dirt, and his best outing came on dirt. This marks his first start of the year. He’s worked well and it’s noteworthy jockey Rafael Bejarano sticks around for the nightcap to do the steering. HIT A HOMERUN (#8) pressed the pace and was a very nice third in his debut at this level here March 28. Any type of move forward makes him a huge threat. HIRED GUN (#7) has worked nicely for his debut. He won’t have to be a superstar to be a big player here as the known faces aren’t exactly overwhelming. KEEGERS (#6) was a respectable fifth in a spot similar to this here March 28. That was his first start in almost eight months and he had trouble to boot, so he could easily improve. PAX TECUM (#5) is a potential bomb. He showed speed at 50-1 in his debut here March 21 before fading. He may improve off that run and has worked well since.

A’s) 2, 8
B’s) 6, 7
C’s) 5