Hammersly: Santa Anita pick three for Sunday, May 31
Some small fields and a 2-year-old maiden race chockfull of first-timers smack in the middle of the card make it tricky to put together some multirace plays on the Sunday card.
I’ve settled for an end-of-the-day pick three, though the favorites hold strong hands in those races, so unless you can topple them, it’s not likely to be a “wow!” hit for you. And the small fields make your options as far as trying to beat those favorites limited.
Race 7
CRUCERO (#6) looks tough with the big class drop. He was a nice third at this trip against starter-allowance foes here April 9 and then got a shot at the Grade 2 Charles Whittingham here May 24. Those waters proved far too deep, not only in terms of class but also distance. He’s back to a better distance, and surely the big drop helps. CERVARO (#1) finished full of run to just miss when third (beaten a neck) as the 7-10 favorite going a mile at this level here April 24. The extra furlong may help. SMALL TOWN COP (#8) was second in that April 24 race and then a good fourth vs. tougher (beaten just 1 1/2 lengths) here May 16. The drop back to this level may be key. WARREN’S WESLEY (#4) was fifth in that April 24 race but was less than two lengths behind Small Town Cop and Cervaro. That was his first grass start, too, so he can improve.
A’s) 1, 6
B’s) 4, 8
C’s) None
Race 8
FIVE PALMS (#3) has won three of four and scratched from last Monday’s Grade 3 Los Angeles Stakes to go here instead. He has speed, yes, but also has shown that he can stalk and finish and pass horses. He should fall into a great trip chasing Batti Man. That last romping win here March 26 was his first start in 15 months, so he can move forward with that under his belt. BATTI MAN (#1) dueled and gamely prevailed going slightly farther here May 8. He figures to be in the thick of it from the bell.
A’s) 3
B’s) 1
C’s) None
Race 9
ROY H (#9) ran splendidly in his debut on this course April 30, dueling from the start, still having the lead in midstretch, and staying on well for second. That stamps him as a big threat here. He’s worked strongly since, gets blinkers, and it’s no shock that he handles turf as he’s kin to a grass winner. ALAMO (#8) has been knocking on the door and may break through. He was fourth in his only turf start, a route here Jan. 25, after dueling from the start. He may be better at this shorter trip. ICHIFOOT (#6) debuts with plenty of works, so there’s a foundation here. This figures to be his game as his two siblings to race are Power Foot (four wins, all on turf, twice Grade 2-placed on turf) and Power Ped (five wins, all on turf, a stakes winner and twice Grade 2-placed on turf). SEATTLE BOOM (#5) blew the start in his dirt debut here May 17 but kept to his task to pass a few and finish sixth. He moves to turf and is by top grass sire War Front, and he cost $300,000 at auction, so surely there are expectations here. A bullet 46.60-second work at Los Alamitos on May 27 says he’s feeling good. DAKOTA DEACON (#2) brings plenty of solid works into this debut for Tom Proctor, who is quite capable first time out. He may relish this footing as he’s kin to Black Hills Goldie (five wins, four on turf, stakes-placed on turf) and Dakota Phone (six wins, one on turf, $1.2 million, Grade 1 winner, multiple Grade 1-placed).
A’s) 9
B’s) 8
C’s) 2, 5, 6
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