Hammersly: Santa Anita pick three for Sunday, Feb. 1

The presence of Texas Red in the Grade 2 San Vicente, race 6, gives the late pick three appeal (races 6-8) as Texas Red can be your linchpin.

Race 6

TEXAS RED (#4) was dazzling in winning the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile over this track in the fall. Sure, this is just a first step on the Kentucky Derby trail, but he’s been working well, and the winning seven-furlong profile for this track at this meet is tilted heavily toward closers, which is his style.

SERBIAN SYCLONE (#2) looked super in winning his last two using his high early speed, while LORD NELSON (#1) romped in the Speakeasy (a sprint) here and then broke terribly before running fifth in the tough Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes. He’s been freshened and returns home and to sprinting, which may be his best game.

A’s) 4
B’s) 1, 2
C’s) None

Race 7

BUYMEABOND (#10) was sharp last spring and summer, winning 4 of 6. Then came a layoff, he ran fourth here Oct. 19, and Jerry Hollendorfer saw fit to plunk down $12,500 to claim him. That looks like a really good move. The gelding then ran third on turf at Del Mar on Nov. 22 and won nicely here Dec. 27. He’s on the upswing, and it’s nice to see that Hollendorfer does not again risk him for a tag.

EMPTY HEADED (#8) was last seen gamely winning for $25,000 at Belmont, a run that looks even better when you note that three whom he beat that day came right back to win. He was claimed that day, has returned west, and while he hasn’t run since, it’s most encouraging that trainer Mullins brings him back without a tag attached.

PRESS BARON (#3) was last seen winning a nice race on the Del Mar sod Nov. 30. He’s been entered and scratched a couple of times since, which is worrisome, but at least he returns with regular rider Rafael Bejarano aboard and is not offered for a tag. PERSUASIVE PAUL (#11) was sharp the last quarter of 2014. He then tried longer and tougher here Jan. 8, to no avail. He can be scary if that run didn’t take something out of him, as this is a better spot both in terms of distance and class. He also has to deal with the far-outside slot.

A’s) 8, 10
B’s) 3, 11
C’s) None

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Race 8

RITZY TAGS (#1) looks ready to bust through. She was no factor in her first 4 starts, all against tougher. After a layoff, she returned here Jan. 1 at this level, with blinkers on, and finished a sharp second, well clear of the rest. It looks like diploma day.

DIXIE DAME (#12) was a decent fourth first time out at Los Alamitos for $50,000, came here for $40,000 on Jan. 9, and improved to duel and finish a game second, far clear of the others (4 1/2 lengths), while EASTER LILLIAN (#5) boasts some sharp works for Kid Mandella, who’s done quite nicely first time out from limited opportunities (2 for last 7, 29 percent).

FROGGY FRESH (#2) ran third, just over two lengths behind Ritzy Tags, in that Jan. 1 race here, a third straight good effort at this level. It won’t take huge improvement to have her cutting into, negating, or overcoming that deficit.

A’s) 1
B’s) 5, 12
C’s) 2