Hammersly: Santa Anita pick three for Sunday, March 8

Two big fields that sandwich a competitive Grade 3 Las Flores give the day’s final pick three some appeal.

Race 7

BROTHER SOLDIER (#7) showed turf ability more than a year ago. After some hard times, his form has improved recently, and he moves back to turf and distance. SILVER TORCH (#2) is probably the one to beat. His lone win came on this course and at this trip, and he’s been knocking on the door since, with three good turf outings at this level. BRAVE ACT (#11) posted his lone win on this course and at this trip. He returns to a mile on this course after a long layoff and a dirt race here he likely needed. DEPUTY HEAT (#3) was a respectable fifth in his first try against winners routing on this course, beaten just 1 1/2 lengths. He’s improving, and another forward move can have him in the mix.

A’s) 2, 7
B’s) 3, 11
C’s) None

Race 8

MEINERTZHAGENI (#4) looked super in blasting lesser here Feb. 21. Miller saw fit to claim her, and it’s a great sign that he opted to bring her back in a spot like this. GLOBAL HOTTIE (#3) fizzled in the Kalookan Queen after winning three straight but bounced back nicely to win easily here Jan. 18. She’s been freshened since, with strong works. TRIBAL GAL (#7) was a good second in the Kalookan Queen after pressing the pace. She then pressed a sizzling pace down the hill before fading to fifth. She’s back to her preferred footing and may be the controlling speed. HARLINGTON’S ROSE (#1) won the Kalookan Queen here Dec. 28 and was a respectable third in the Grade 2 Santa Monica. She fits well with these.

A’s) 3, 4
B’s) 7
C’s) 1

:: Build your pick three ticket with DRF TicketMaker | DRF TicketMaker (Mobile)

Race 9

PERFECT TEMPTATION (#2) broke slowly in his grass sprint debut here Feb. 7, rushed up to stalk the pace, but faded to fifth. He can benefit from that outing and a better start, and it’s no small matter that the meet’s leading rider (Rafael Bejarano) sticks around for the nightcap to ride him. GO TRUMPY GO (#5) wasn’t disgraced when sixth in his first turf try on this hillside course Feb. 7, beaten just 2 1/2 lengths. He may improve off that outing and is bred for turf, being by one of the game’s elite turf sires, War Front. BIG HAT CHARLIE (#7) ran decently against straight maidens. He drops and tries turf for the first time, which he may like, being kin to four grass winners, including Mutually Benefit (three turf wins, stakes-placed on turf). VICIOUS (#6) dueled on dirt here Dec. 27 before fading to seventh behind on-the-Derby trail Prospect Park. He’s been freshened, drops, and moves to turf, which he may like as he’s kin to Liberty Cap (three turf wins, stakes-placed on turf). UNUSUALLY BIG (#8) tries turf for the first time and is bred top and bottom for it. He also boasts a very strong recent four-furlong bullet work (47.20 seconds, best of 36 such works that day).

A’s) 2, 5
B’s) 6, 7
C’s) 8