Hammersly: Santa Anita pick three for Sunday, Feb. 26

It’s been difficult to assess Santa Anita of late due to all the rain. We thought we might finally catch a break for Sunday’s card, but the forecast is for more of the wet stuff. At least it wasn’t to rain Friday and Saturday, so maybe Sunday’s moisture won’t affect the card significantly, giving the final pick three of the day (races 7-9) some appeal.

Race 7

ATOMIC RULE (#2) comes off a super second for $50,000 here Jan. 29, beaten just a head. It’s most encouraging that one of the meet’s leading trainers, Richard Baltas, moves him up about 50 percent in value. His only two races here were two of his best. POWER PED (#3) was once good enough to knock heads with graded-stakes foes. The 7-year-old isn’t quite good enough for that any longer, so today’s drop from a Grade 2 to this level seems prudent, and a sharp work on the training track here Wednesday (a bullet five furlongs in 1:00) says he’s doing well. SKY PREACHER (#4) was a well-beaten third in the Super Bowl here Feb. 5. While he returns here for a tag, it’s a higher tag than he’s been racing for in some time, which is encouraging.

A) 2, 3
B) 4
C) None

Race 8

AVANTI BELLO (#7) pressed the pace in the Grade 2 San Antonio here Feb. 4 and paid the price, giving way badly to end up last of seven. The good news is that not only does he take a significant drop here, but he’s worked well since. He looks ready to bounce back. His two best recent outings came with Flavien Prat aboard, and that’s who’s riding here. ACCEPTANCE (#5) was also entered in Saturday’s Sensational Star down the hill. This is surely a better spot as he’s better on dirt. His speed can have him in the thick of it from the bell. MAGIC MARK (#2) stalked the pace in the seven-furlong Cary Grant at Del Mar on Nov. 20, made a strong early move to grab the lead turning for home, then fell apart, finishing fifth as the 2-1 favorite. The top-three finishers of that race are lined up against him again here, but he’s been freshened, has worked well, and returns to his best trip (he’s 4 for 8 at this one-mile trip, which accounts for all but two of his career wins). SOLID WAGER (#4) is capable of big things when in the mood, and five of his eight wins have come on this track (though he’s 0 for 10 at this trip).

A) 5, 7
B) 2
C) 4

Race 9

MOMENTS NOTIZ (#4) found more expensive foes a bit too tough in recent months, but today’s drop may be key. He’s been a pro for a long time – you don’t win 20 of 48 by accident. PAT THE BEAR (#3) has been knocking on the door in recent months, and that good second for $8,000 here Feb. 5 stamps him as one of the ones. AIKAU (#10) continues his strong form, and a sharp second at this level here Jan. 27 (beaten just a head) stamps him as a major player. It also encourages that trainer Vann Belvoir saw fit to dive in and claim him last time.

A) 4
B) 3, 10
C) None