Hammersly: Santa Anita pick three for Sunday, April 5

Some big, competitive fields make the day’s final pick three (races 7-9) somewhat attractive.

Race 7

BOURNE HOT (#3) comes off a sharp second against likely a tougher bunch. That was just his second start back after a couple of months off, so he figures fully fit and ready. SIDEPOCKET CHAMP (#8) looks headed the right way. After nearly six months off, he came back to be fourth (behind BOURNE HOT in second) here March 1, then dropped to this level here March 14, dueled and ran second. That run was flattered (two he beat that day came right back to win), and he’s likely better from off the pace. MATZOH BALL MAGIC (#4) ran on well to be second at this level here Feb. 16. His Feb. 27 run wasn’t as hot, but a bullet work since says he’s doing well. LOLO EL CANONERO (#7) fizzled to seventh at this level here March 15. However, that was routing. He’s back to his best game here (sprinting), and his three sprints prior to that run, all at this level, were smart. TAKEIT TO THE LIMIT (#10) fizzled vs. tougher here Feb. 8. That was his first run vs. winners, so a freshening and a move to this level may help. He also comes back as a first-time gelding with some solid works in tow.

A’s) 3, 8
B’s) 4, 7
C’s) 10

Race 8

ELEKTRUM (#4) comes off two strong seconds in her first two U.S. starts in February and with better luck traffic-wise could easily have won both. No mistakes today. All that being said, there’s quality opposition as KERI BELLE (#6) looked super in winning here Jan. 10, is bred to have a high ceiling, and has a super recent work. LADY ASANO (#5) rallied smartly to win for $32,000 here Feb. 21, and now trainer Ted West gives her a most-encouraging multiple-level price hike. QIAONA (#12) is scary as she drops out of a tough hillside stakes. She’s shown she can route. EMERALD STAR (#11) likely needed her down-the-hill sprint here March 5 when sixth as it was her first start in almost six months and her first in this country. She gets more ground here and the leading rider.

A’s) 4
B’s) 5, 6
C’s) 11, 12

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Race 9

BLIND DREAMS (#6) was a nice third in a race like this here March 6 (her first start in 11 months), was claimed by O’Neill, and then found routing and $30,000 foes just a tad too much, though she was again a nice third. She’s back to one turn and to her claimed level. DEL MAR DIXIE (#2) didn’t run badly in her debut here March 12, particularly when you note that it came vs. much more expensive. With that under her belt and today’s drop, she is a threat. SWEET SENSE (#5) stalked and finished a decent fourth at this level here Feb. 28, a run that looks better when you note that it was her first start in seven months. AMBERELLA (#7) brings plenty of works into her debut, so there’s a foundation here, and trainer Phil D’Amato does quite nicely first time out (19 percent).

A’s) 6
B’s) 2, 5
C’s) 7