Pick 3 of the Week: Santa Anita Saturday, Jan. 17

I will take aim at the all-stakes Pick 3 that closes out the big day of action at Santa Anita on Saturday, and I feel that the sequence could pay very well if my handicapping is on point. 

Race 7 Wager

• $1 Pick 3: 3,6,7 with 4,6,7,8 with 5,8 ($24)

Race 7 – California Cup Oaks

California-bred sophomore fillies will go one mile on the lawn to kick things off. I will use a trio of contenders in the opening leg, led by recent allowance winner #6 Cecilia Street (6-1) for Leonard Powell. The Stanford filly has two wins and a third from a trio of lifetime runs on the sod, including a maiden win at the distance. Mirco Demuro will be in the irons. 

Starlet (G2) runner-up #7 Cashed (2-1) will drop in with state-bred runners, as well as trying the lawn for the initial time. The I’ll Have Another chestnut sure looked good in her route debut last time and will be super tough if she takes to the grass. Dan Blacker’s #3 Cee Drew (4-1) rolled home a nice debut winner in a sprint on this course prior to finishing unplaced in the Jimmy Durante (G3) at Del Mar. The Cistron filly will appreciate being back in with California-bred fillies with Ricardo Gonzalez in the irons. 

Race 8 – Cal Cup Derby

A total of 11 boys will endure 1 1/16 miles on the dirt in the middle portion of the play. #4 Smoovin Saturday (5-1), #7 John Metcalfe (12-1), and #8 Can’t Help Myself (8-1) finished 1-2-3 in the King Glorious S. at Los Alamitos most recently, and I feel that each of the three merits inclusion in this contest. In addition to that trio, Golden State Juvenile S. victor #6 Ocean Bear (5-2) will also make the ticket. 

Race 9 – Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint

Fillies and mares will go about 6 1/2 panels down the Hillside Turf Course in a tough closing piece. #8 Take Another Card (8-1) is the most intriguing contender in the field to me. The Simon Callaghan trainee will cut back to a dash for the first time since her debut at this venue in December of 2024, and the strong late runner could be moving best of all late in the affair. 

#5 Sneaker (6-1) has run two of her better races at this unique distance, led by a stakes win two back. The five-year-old daughter of Oscar Performance will have Mike Smith in the silks.