Hammersly: Santa Anita pick three for Sunday, June 26
Some limited field sizes may limit your options in terms of trying to hit a “big one.” The final pick three of the day (races 7-9) incorporates the two largest fields on the card, and while hitting here likely won’t send you to the IRS window, it still presents an opportunity.
Race 7
SURFING THE MENU (#5) came back after almost a year and a half to romp by 8 3/4 lengths here March 17 and backed it up with a strong second (beaten just a head) against winners here May 20. She’s obviously come back feeling good, there are two strong works since, and Gus Headley adds blinkers. ISH (#4) ran on dirt for the first time here May 29 and looked like a new horse, laughing at maidens by 12 1/2 lengths. It could be that he’s turned the corner with the surface switch, though this is his first time facing winners.
As) 5
Bs) 4
Cs) None
Race 8
A tough little five-pack. AVANTI BELLO (#4) just nipped SOI PHET in the Tiznow here May 28 and could do it again. SOI PHET (#3) did nothing wrong in the Tiznow, losing by just a nose to AVANTI BELLO, and it’s worth noting he beat ‘BELLO fairly handily (by four lengths) when second in the Bertrando at Los Alamitos in their prior starts April 16. SONGFORJOHNMICHAEL (#2) was actually the 3-2 favorite against the top two in the Tiznow, but he got into a duel and paid the price. A return to top form makes him scary, and if he can shake loose from AVANTI BELLO early, he could prove tough to haul in.
As) 3, 4
Bs) 2
Cs) None
Race 9
PICTURE TUBE (#6) debuts with strong works for Bob Baffert, who of course is well known for firing first time out. And judging by the works, this guy looks ready. His four siblings to race are all winners, including Great Hunter (3 wins, $976K, won Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity, Grade 2 Robert B. Lewis, also third in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and Grade 2/3-placed). CANDY PROMISES (#5) actually knows what it feels like to win (finished first here April 10 only to be disqualified). He comes off a sharp second for $40K here May 8. Trainer Bill Spawr not only saw fit to claim him that day (37 percent off a claim) but after freshening him up brings him back in a spot where he can’t lose him via another claim. His two siblings are both multiple winners. HANK THE TANK (#3) was a very nice second in his debut for $80K at Del Mar last Aug. 27, a run that looks even better when you note that three who finished behind him came right back to win. Trainer Mike Puype claimed him that day (31 percent off a claim), but he hasn’t been seen since, which is worrisome. The good news is he returns with solid works and with no tag attached. His lone sibling to race is Justforgetaboutit (5 wins, $74K).
As) 5, 6
Bs) 3
Cs) None