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.
The races are up for Week 3, including the Preakness Stakes as our Race 6 at 6:18PM. Be sure to log in early, as the first race goes off at 2:35PM, before a long wait to 4:04PM for the Gallorette Handicap. It was almost a 6 race day at Pimlico, but I snuck the Red Bank Stakes from Monmouth in there. Be sure to check back later this week, as there are a number of duplicate entries going on this week, some jockey changes are likely, and at least 1 coupled entry will shake up the picks this week.
Race 1: The Chick Lang Stakes.
Race 7 at Pimlico starts off our day. Extrasexyhippzster was looking great until totally tanking in his last 2 graded stakes races. Meadowood takes an undefeated record into today’s race, but moves up in class, we’ve seen Prudhoe bay in the Pick 6 Challenge before, but if you look at his up and down finishing results it looks like its time for a down day. Brewing appears to be the class of the field, and the bettors know it, morning line of 8/5, winner of his last 3, and great speed numbers.
Race 2: The Gallorette Handicap.
I’m excited to see what Somali Lemonade will do in the Gallorette handicap today, out of Lemon Drop Kid, she’s got two great starts so far this year. Strathnaver has some good speed numbers, is definitely racing in the right class, but hasn’t gotten the results I’m sure she wants, she will be on the board today, Starstruck had the bullet in her last workout, but has been beaten in lower class races to date this year. Watsdachances comes off the outside with Javier Castellano, but that may just be too much to overcome.
Race 3: The Sir Barton Stakes.
In race 10 at Pimlico, Six Spot was looking good until dropping the ball last race, has similar numbers to Life In Shambles, and if I had to take one of the two I’d go with the latter coming of increasing speed and 2 wins. Class Leader failed to make a derby bid, but is dropping in class and you can’t ignore a triple crown contender in this race. Starry Moon or Master Lightning to fill out your exotics?
Race 4: The Dixie Stakes.
In the 11th Fredricksburg had the bullet last time out, Nutello has high trainer and jockey percentages, will they combine to be unstoppable? I always love me a cat horse, so Charming Kitten will be in play, Hey Leroy has 2 great races under his belt if you ignore the bomb on April 19th, Chamois appears to have chosen the Dixie over the Red Bank, so keep an eye on this Clement entry. Up With the Birds has a great track record with a lifetime (10) 6-2-1, and could be worth a bet at 5-1.
Race 5: The Red Bank Stakes.
The only race not at Pimlico is the Red Bank from Monmouth. Joe Bravo skipped town to go down to Pimlico for the day, so he won’t be in play for NJ bettors today. This race could have a lot of defections, as Chamois and Roadhog look to be running at Pimlico. I like Slim Shadey, Winning Cause, and Admiral Perry to rise to the top of this race. Rose Brier is moving up in class, but if he can continue his record of winning/placing could offer tremendous value at 10-1.
Race 6: The Preakness Stakes.
Which brings us to the Preakness. Everything I’ve read this week says you would be a fool not to take California Chrome, he’s the class of the field. If you are looking at any other play here, it would have to be a rested Social Inclusion, who finished disappointingly 3rd in the Wood, I’d say General a Rod might pull something out if he could sit off the lead, but I’m sure he’s tired from the Derby two weeks ago. I like Bayern, but I just don’t think he has the speed of California Chrome, Ring Weekend ran terribly after his upset win at the Tampa Bay derby, and I’m sorry, but Ria Antonia is no Rachel Alexandra. Maybe Kid Cruz stalks his way to the top? Winner of his last 2, also out of Lemon Drop Kid. Ride On Curlin was in the news for dumping Calvin Bo-Rail, but what did you expect? He rides the rail, don’t hire Calvin Borel if you don’t want a rail trip.
So there you have it. Watch for scratches today, lots of overlap and multiple entries in the races. Have fun.