Hammersly: Santa Anita pick three for Sunday, March 19

With some price potential in races 8 and 9 on the Sunday card at Santa Anita, the final pick-3 of the day has some appeal.

Race 7
I’ll take a stand with the two likely favorites here, AURA ROSE (#6) and SLY HUMOR (#3). Aura Rose romped by nine over maidens here Feb. 12 and was claimed by Richard Baltas (29 percent off the claim), who brings her back without a tag attached. Sly Humor likewise laughed at maidens last time out, winning by 6 1/4 lengths here Feb. 18. That was her first start off the claim for Jerry Hollendorfer and the Beyer she earned (81) is much the best in this field. As with ‘Rose don’t risk losing her via a claim.

A’s) 3, 6
B’s) None
C’s) None

Race 8
CONQUEST FARENHEIT (#8) is the heavy favorite here coming off an easy win down the hill and he’s a must-use. However, if you can, topple him with a price that can surely help your payoff. KY. COLONEL (#4) was a game second on this course at this trip Feb. 5, his first start in over two months. He figures fitter and tougher. CISTRON (#6) is the one who beat Ky. Colonel in that Feb. 5 race. Prior to that he was a sharp third in the Eddie Logan on this course at this trip, so he’s a proven commodity. TAXMAN’S QUEST (#2) starts on turf for the first time, but he flashed ample talent at Remington Park last summer/fall, winning his first two starts. He’s worked splendidly here for new trainer Dick Mandella and if Mandella didn’t think he belonged here he wouldn’t have entered him. ZAKAROFF (#9) tries turf for the first time, but he comes off a game win in the Grade 3 El Camino Real Derby on Golden Gate’s synthetic track, and of course you know many a horse who handles that footing handles turf as well. BIRD IS THE WORD (#10) takes a big step up in class after beating maidens on this course at this trip Jan. 28, but he did so in style and may be this good.

A’s) 4, 8
B’s) 2, 6, 9
C’s) 10

Race 9
AUTISM IS HERE (#12) didn’t do much in his first five starts, but all that came against straight maidens. He takes the most important drop in the game here as he returns as a gelding, and he’s worked superbly the past month or so. He doesn’t face much power here. WALDORF (#7) debuts with sharp works for Mark Glatt, who can fire first time out. LIBERTY JACK (#5) looks headed the right way. He ran on for third for this price here Feb. 24 and was claimed by Bill Morey (18 percent off a claim). MY MAN CHUCKLES (#13) was no factor in his first two starts, but both came against much tougher. He drops and trainer Doug O’Neill removes the blinkers (21 percent with that move).

A’s) 7, 12
B’s) 5, 13
C’s) None