Hammersly: Santa Anita pick three for Sunday, Oct. 4
Short fields limit the options for the Sunday card, but a couple of competitive turf races late in the day present an opportunity for a pick three play (races 6-8).
Race 6
ROCKIN ROBIN (#10) appears to be peaking. After three not-so-hot races, he was a good third at Del Mar for $50,000, then won there for $40,000, and now trainer Mark Glatt moves him up multiple levels, a most encouraging sign. JOHN’S SUCCESS (#8) hasn’t run in a year, but he showed talent on turf, including being stakes-placed. Trainer Doug O’Neill does just fine off the bench. TRIFECTA (#9) left himself too much to do as the favorite in that same Aug. 21 race that ROCKIN ROBIN won. He doesn’t have to come from that far out of it and easily could bounce back. HIGHWAY BOSS (#4) was beaten just 1 1/4 lengths by ROCKIN ROBIN in that Aug. 21 race. Hector Palma saw fit to claim him and may have bought at the right time. The gelding posted a strong four-furlong work here Sept. 28 to show that he’s doing well.
A’s) 8, 10
B’s) 4, 9
C’s) None
Race 7
MATRICULATE (#8) wins this if he gets back to his form from earlier this year. However, he’s tough to key as his comeback run at Del Mar on Aug. 28 was dull. He’s since been gelded and has worked strongly. It’s a good sign that trainer Bill Spawr does not offer him for a tag. SIGNATURE CAT (#2) blew the start, rushed up to press the pace in a turf sprint at Del Mar on Aug. 29, and weakened late to end up fourth. He’s back to dirt, his preferred surface, and both wins came here. A better start can have him in the mix from the bell. HYE I’M JACK (#1) rattled off four straight strong outings, three of them here, this spring and summer. He failed to duplicate that when fourth at Del Mar on Aug. 28, but it’s nice to see no drop by O’Neill and that top rider Rafael Bejarano stays. TOUGH SUNDAY (#3) has been knocking on the door and returns to the site of his best performance.
A’s) 2, 8
B’s) 1
C’s) 3
Race 8
HOME JOURNEY (#7) has loads of speed and is proven down the hill. She ran into a real tiger in the Daisycutter at Del Mar on Aug. 7 and, while no match for that gal, finished well clear of the rest. She’s been freshened and is proven off the bench. Three of her four best Beyer Speed Figures came on this hillside course. CHAULK O LATTEY (#4) continues her strong form, and that includes a big maiden win on this course March 14, followed by a sharp fourth (beaten just a neck; awarded third via disqualification). VELVET MESQUITE (#2) once owned the hill, but after a good third in the Irish O’Brien, she was gone six months and came back dull on Del Mar dirt Sept. 6. The layoff and subsequent poor return make you wonder if she’s lost a step or two, but you can’t ignore her love for this course (5 for 9).
A’s) 7
B’s) 2, 4
C’s) None
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