Turf pick three looks hittable

ARCADIA, Calif. – A stakes-winning filly and an allowance-caliber colt are key contenders Friday at Santa Anita in bookend legs of the $3 turf pick three on races 4, 6, and 8.

Princess Bettina, winner of the 2023 China Doll Stakes and recent runner-up behind a next-out stakes winner, makes her third start back from a layoff in race 4. Her main rivals in the second-level allowance/optional $80,000 claiming turf sprint are Carmen Miranda and Benedict Canyon. Both have won at the condition. Both are entered for the optional tag.

Formidable Man also goes third start back in race 8, an entry-level allowance for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles. Formidable Man’s last-out runner-up finish was partly validated when winner Twirling Point returned to finished a close third in the $250,000 Rushaway at Turfway last Saturday. Formidable Man’s rivals include Uncle Truly, Better Than Gold, and El Rey Rey.

The turf pick three was introduced during the 2023 Santa Anita fall meet, and this winter has generated a $358 median return (half payoffs higher, half lower) from an average pool of more than $66,000. The highest payoff was $3,723.60 on Feb. 16, when the sequence included 37-1 upsetter Order and Law, trained by Peter Eurton.

Eurton trains likely race 4 favorite Princess Bettina, who has won on the lead and rallying from behind.

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“She’ll go both ways, but when she wants to go, I don’t think you want to get in her way,” Eurton said.

Princess Bettina is likely to use her speed Friday under Umberto Rispoli. Princess Bettina, who has won 2 of 11 for owner-breeder Donald Dizney, gets a prime opportunity Friday in a five-runner field that is the smallest this meet in a hillside sprint. Main rivals Carmen Miranda and Benedict Canyon are trained by Phil D’Amato. The field also includes comebackers The Wild Grazer and Speed Lane.

Race 6 is the trickiest in the turf pick three. Gazon could upset the $50,000 maiden-claiming mile after a better-than-looked fifth last out. Rivals include his John Sadler-trained stablemate Citadino; recent runner-up When Heroes Fly; and first-time gelding Daddy Justify.

Race 8 contender Formidable Man stretches out from a runner-up finish at a mile for trainer Michael McCarthy.

“A mile and one-eighth I don’t think is going to be an issue,” McCarthy said.

Sired by City of Light, Formidable Man was produced by Grade 2 turf mile winner Fanticola, who finished second by a neck in a Grade 1 at 1 1/8 miles.

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Rispoli rides Formidable Man, whose main rival finished less than two lengths behind him last out. Uncle Truly, making his first start in three months, was rated while his stablemate Twirling Point wired the field. Uncle Truly finished evenly in a better-than-looked fourth-place comeback and is likely to improve second start back.

Better Than Gold drops from a Grade 3, adds Lasix, and switches to turf. Gold Foot and El Rey Rey enter off solid maiden wins.

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