Hammersly: Santa Anita pick three for Sunday, May 17
There may be many of us licking our wounds from Saturday’s heavy Preakness Day action and many who hit paydirt Saturday. Either way, Sunday’s another day and another opportunity to get good. An up-and-coming turf sprinter who might turn into a stakes horse for trainer Richard Mandella can prove your linchpin in a late pick three (races 6-8).
Race 6
FOREST CHATTER (#2) has been smashing in three straight wins on the hill. He’s steadily moved up the class ladder and moves up again here. It’s a tougher spot, to be sure, but he looks like an eventual stakes horse, and you know he loves the hill, as he’s unbeaten in three starts on it. U S CITIZEN (#6) is a proven commodity on the hill (two of his four wins have come on it). He tossed in a bit of a clunker in the Grade 3 San Simeon on it April 19 when seventh, but those waters might be too deep. He’s back to a better level here. HORIZONTALYSPEAKIN (#8) has had ample success on turf (all five wins), and while that’s been routing, it’s worth noting that routers with speed have often fared well when moving to the hill for this shorter trip. It’s also nice to see that his new connections saw fit to plunk down $62,500 to claim him last time.
A’s) 2
B’s) 6, 8
C’s) None
Race 7
PEACENIK (#9) is a terrific old pro – hey, you don’t win 12 times by accident. Peter Miller saw fit to claim him for $10,000 on April 16 when a good third, and today’s drop might get him back into the winner’s circle. A five-furlong bullet work at San Luis Rey on May 9 says he’s doing well (1:00.20). PEPPER SWEET (#2) has upset potential. He makes his first start in nine months and does so as a first-time gelding. He’s worked steadily for a barn having a big meet and gets Rafael Bejarano. PARLIAMENTARIAN (#3) has big speed. He’s been hitting the brakes pretty hard of late, but this class drop might help him do better. CUNNING RIDE (#1) comes off a nice win going just 870 yards at Los Alamitos, something you don’t do unless you have early zip.
A’s) 2, 9
B’s) 3
C’s) 1
Race 8
SOMETHINGS UNUSUAL (#8) hasn’t won in six starts down the hill, but he’s been second in three of those, including March 20 and April 10. He wasn’t disgraced when fifth routing here May 1 (beaten just two lengths) and racing above his conditions. This is his proper level. CLEVER ROYAL (#9) scratched from a washed-off-the-turf race here Thursday. He chased a nice Mandella runner home routing at this level here April 11. That was his first start in eight months, so he can surely move forward. FORMALLY WILD (#3) came out smoking to win his debut on this hillside course March 27. Today is his first time vs. winners and off the layoff, so there are hurdles, but he showed in his bow that he can fire fresh, handles the hill and has talent. TOSHEEN (#6) has speed and is proven down the hill. That third to Forest Chatter (the favorite in race 6) looks awfully good.
A’s) 8, 9
B’s) 3, 6
C’s) None
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