The Pick 6 Challenge is back for 2014! The 2014 Derby Championship Series will follow the first and second legs of the Kentucky Derby Championship Series. The first race weekend will feature the Risen Star and Fountain of Youth on Saturday February 22, 2014. It will conclude 8 weeks later with the Arkansas Derby and Bluegrass Stakes on Saturday April 12. Look for the full 6 race schedule for Saturday to be posted by Thursday Feb 20th.
We’ve got a great series of races up for this weekend. You’d think the Fountain of Youth and the Risen Star would draw all your attention, but I find that I could easily use all my picks in the first 3 races alone! This weekend features 3 races from the Fairgrounds and another 3 from Gulfstream Park.
Race 1: The Davona Dale.
The Davona Dale features undefeated Onlyforyou going up against the cagey veteran StopChargingMaria, but I’d love to figure out how to get Penwith in there, running Lasix today, and House Rules.
Race 2: The Canadian Turf Stakes.
The Canadian Turf sees Abtaal getting a horrible post position, Salto a beaten favorite in his last two starts, and Mr. Online going for his third victory at the distance and fourth win in a row. Would you leave him out?
Race 3: The Rachel Alexandra Stakes.
In the Rachel Alexandra I see Streaming as the horse to beat, Ria Antonia was the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner (by DQ though), and could it be Got Lucky’s day?
Race 4: The Fountain of Youth Stakes.
Then we see a deep field in the Fountain of Youth, General A Rod is making his graded stakes debut with the Jockey/Trainer combo winning at a rate of 39%, Commissioner is a major force, and Top Billing finished 2nd to Commissioner but has a tough Post 12. We Miss Artie could do well, as Joe Bravo don’t travel if Joe Bravo doesn’t have a chance at winning. Calvin Bo-rail is in the field on Almost Famous, and will probably get some love at the betting window, will he pull an upset?
Race 5: The Risen Star Stakes.
The Risen Star has a great field as well, large too. Commanding Curve has a tough job from the outside post, Rise Up was a winner in the Delta Jackpot, Vicar’s In Trouble impressed in the Lecomte, while Hoppertunity, Intense Holiday, and Albano all look sharp. Use them in your exotics folks.
Race 6: The Mineshaft Handicap.
Finally the Mineshaft caps the day, if you have any picks left. Prayer for Relief looks like a strong play, will Mister Marti Gras take this race or the Fairgrounds Handicap? Ground Transport loves the track, Fordubai has a great speed figure and comes off a win in his last race. Could you leave out Grand Contender though? He’s a contender.
Good luck to all today, and come back next week for the Gotham and another slate of 6 challenging races.