This segment of the Pick 6 Challenge begins Saturday May 3rd with the Kentucky Derby. It will span 9 weekends of racing through Saturday, June 28th. The racing will cover the 3 Triple Crown races (Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes). It starts Saturday May 3rd, and will conclude Saturday June 28th with the Gold Cup at Santa Anita. Be sure to log in each weekend to make your picks for the races on Saturday. Races and past performances usually go up on Wednesday night. Entries are added by Thursday.
Race 1: Fury Stakes.
The races are up for week 2. I hope you like, variety, as we have races from 5 tracks this weekend, including North of the border at Woodbine. Do you think you can figure out the poly track? Keep an eye on Hot and Spicy on that rail post, winning at a 20% clip, Wild Dyna should see some money bet with Woodbine’s favorite female Chantal on top, but I don’t see her winning this one. Lexie Lou looks like a favorite, maybe Wild Catomine one in her first and only start, is there more there?
Race 2: The Diablo Stakes.
Next we head to our first of 2 at Belmont with the Diablo Stakes. I’m looking hard at Salutos Amigos in this race, and not just because El Diablo pointed me his direction, he’s got some speed. Don Tito has done well this year, I could see Eastwood and Erik the Red in exotics, but I’m staying away from Best Man.
Race 3: Big Drama Stakes.
Two stakes races at Gulfstream Park, but I just chose one, Big Drama for Saturday. Dad’z Laugh has some great speed numbers, Risk Factor had a huge win last race, a freakish outing or sign of things to come? Trinni Heart is consistent, but I think lacks the speed needed to win, City of Weston and Cajun Breeze had speed in the past, can they find it again? Majestic Cause could be up there at the end for sure.
Race 4: The Peter Pan Stakes.
Back to Belmont for the Peter Pan Stakes, where Tonalist looks sharp. We’ve seen Commissioner in the Pick 6 Challenge before, he’s been in the Arkansas Derby, Sunland, and Fountain of Youth. Matterhorn and Fabulous Kid have similar stats, but the Kid is undefeated, will the speed hold? Our Caravan?
Race 5: The Decathlon Stakes.
Jersey Joe Bravo is happy to see us visit Monmouth for race 5, the Decathlon Stakes. You can’t count out Joe when he’s racing at home. Ribo Bobo and Be Bullish will need to have a good trip coming from the outside, Zealevo is a big question mark in my mind, but has been racing well at Parx.
Race 6: The Lazaro Barrera Stakes.
Finally we head out west to Santa Anita where we find Gary Stevens and Mike Smith trying to steal the twilight spotlight from each other, and no Baffert horses for once! I like the first big three of Ferocious, Tonito M. and Kobe’s Back, but is he really back? Did he ever really leave? I don’t know, every time I think I have him figured out he lays an egg. Watch the cagey veterans though…
First race is at 4:44pm, check the scratches in the morning, and good luck to all.