Hammersly: Santa Anita pick three for Saturday, Feb. 28

A contentious edition of the Santa Ysabel Stakes makes a late pick three appealing, particularly since you may be able to have an effective single in the first leg.

Race 6

THE MAN (#2) looks like “the man.” He’s shown ample ability in his first two starts, both sprints, but is bred to route. He dueled and ran third in his debut here Jan. 3, then dueled and ran second sprinting here Jan. 25 (to Why Two, who came back to win last Saturday’s Turf Paradise Derby). He’s worked well four times since and figures in the thick of it from the bell. He looks like a solid “A.” Just in case you want a safety net, however, FORCE (#7) has appeal. He set the pace at this trip here Feb. 7 before finishing third. He has speed, yes, but doesn’t seem like a need-the-lead type, so like the top pick, he can be in the hunt from the start. NOB HILL (#1), a son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin, is heading the right way. He ran fourth while routing here Jan. 16 and was then second (2 1/4 lengths ahead of Force) at this trip here Feb. 7.

A’s) 2
B’s) 1, 7
C’s) None

Race 7

WILD AT HEART (#8) was a strong second in her debut here Jan. 10 to Glory, who came back to be a sharp second in the California Oaks at Golden Gate Fields and is one of the main contenders in the Grade 3 Santa Ysabel about 20 minutes after this. There’s no reason she shouldn’t route, being by Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby winner Indian Charlie. LUMINANCE (#7) flashed big talent and potential in her only start at Del Mar last July 20, when rallying to win. She hasn’t been seen since, so there are hurdles (layoff, facing winners for the first time, routing for the first time), but there’s surely talent here. MISS MANDATE (#4) nearly won a race like this here Jan. 4. She then tried the Grade 1 Las Virgenes on Jan. 31 but found those waters too deep (ran seventh). She’s down in class, and a bullet 59.20-second move here Feb. 19 encourages. ALL STAR BUB (#2) whipped maidens on this track and at this trip Oct. 23. She was third while sprinting at this level here Jan. 29 and may enjoy returning to this longer trip. LADY ZUZU (#6) cost $1.2 million, and they thought enough of her to try the Grade 1 Spinaway at Saratoga last Aug. 31 despite the fact that she was a maiden (ran sixth in the slop). She then blasted maidens on turf at this distance at Keeneland on Oct. 9. She’s bred for dirt (by the same sire as Grade 1 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, Grade 1 dirt winner Perfect Drift).

A’s) 7, 8
B’s) 4
C’s) 2, 6

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Race 8

LIGHT THE CITY (#6) ran her best race when second to the classy Callback in the Grade 1 Las Virgenes while routing here Jan. 31. She showed more professionalism and patience, and a move forward can get the job done. She has enough speed to be in position off an ample pace. GLORY (#9) whipped maidens while sprinting here Jan. 10. They thought enough of her to enter her in the Las Virgenes for her first start against winners, but they opted to scratch and go in the California Oaks at Golden Gate instead, and she was a fine second (beaten just a neck). She’s the real deal. CURLIN’S FOX (#2) looked terrific in winning her debut here Feb. 1. Of course, that was on turf, sprinting, against maidens, whereas today she’s asked to route, on dirt, against winners. At least she’s bred for this, being by two-time Horse of the Year and multiple Grade 1 route winner Curlin. ENCHANTING LADY (#3) showed a ton of talent last spring when romping in the Landaluce Stakes here June 22. She hasn’t been seen since, which is alarming, but she’s worked well, and it’s most encouraging that trainer Bob Baffert picked a tough spot like this for her return. RATTATAPTAP (#7) whipped optional claimers while sprinting here Jan. 29. She has speed and versatility and is bred to handle this distance.

A’s) 6, 9
B’s) 2, 3
C’s) 7