Pick 3 of the Week: Santa Anita Saturday, Feb. 7

Two of the three graded stakes races on the card at Santa Anita on Saturday will be a part of the Pick 3 of the Week, and I feel that at least two of the favorites in the sequence can be upended. 

Race 6 Wagers

• $1 Pick 3: 7 with 1,2,7 with 1,2,3,4,6,7 ($18)
• $2 Pick 3: 5,7 with 1,2,7 with 1 ($12)

Race 6 – D. Wayne Lukas (G2)

Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare (G1) vixen #5 Splendora (4-5) is a must use in the field and the most logical winner, but I feel that she is far from a cinch in the affair. The Baffert trainee can clearly beat the field at short odds, but I am of the opinion that she is a different kind of animal at Del Mar compared to Santa Anita. 

#7 Formula Rossa (5-2) is a very talented filly who endured a wide trip throughout in the La Brea (G1) when second behind a super-sharp winner. The Vekoma chestnut will force the pace from the break and get first run on the favorite at the top of the lane under Mike Smith. She is my top pick. 

Race 7 – Optional Claiming

The one-mile turf test for Cal-bred boys attracted eight, led by morning-line choice #7 Warm Sun and Brew (9-5) for Mark Glatt. The Clubhouse Ride four-year-old is surely capable and wouldn’t be a surprise at all, but I feel that the gelding is better sprinting and that he will be overbet in the middle leg.

#2 Sir Percival (5-1) and #1 Cullen J (4-1) exit the same race when finishing second and fourth, respectively, and I think that one of the duo will post the minor upset. 

Race 8 – Robert B. Lewis (G3)

#1 Desert Gate (6-5) will be tough with a clean break and his top performance for Baffert. The talented son of Omaha Beach was excellent as a juvenile and is well placed for his 2026 debut, but he is also no sure thing at a short price. 

I can’t envision #5 Briggs Armypower (30-1) being a contender at any point in the race, but the other five horses have some legitimate appeal to me. I’ll go all but one to close out the play, then single the favorite on an additional ticket.