Welcome back to the Pick 6 Challenge! The Summer Spectacular segment started several weeks ago, but that certainly does not mean it is too late to join. This racing segment started on July 19th, with the opening weekend at Saratoga (featuring the Diana). The segment will finish September 27th at Belmont with the Jockey Club Gold Cup. If you are new to the game, the rules are simple. You get 15 picks to spread across 6 races. The objective is to pick the most race winners using the fewest picks. The scoring is most correct picks, followed by number of picks used, followed by winnings. The Summer Spectacular will feature many races from Saratoga and Del Mar.

Race 1: The Bernard Baruch.
It’s the final weekend of racing at Saratoga, and its time for the 3yo+ to take the track for the Woodward.  But first we have another favorite of Cornelio’s, the Bernard Baruch.  It would be hard to ignore the coupled entry of Boisteroues and Bio Pro, one a Pletcher trained entry, they have both gone the distance multiple times, Bio Pro at 5-2-1-0 and Boisterous at 4-2-0-0.  Optimizer has got clout due to his name, but seems like his better days are behind him.  Watch out for Garcia though, he surprises me sometimes.  North Star Boy comes off a win at Saratoga in his last start, gets hot jockey Irad Ortiz, but his pace at distance is slower than the other contenders, still never underestimate a win at the track in your last start (V.E. Day and Shining Copper).  Wise Dan looks almost unbeatable.  I expect it to be a sunny warm day, so little chance of this switching to the main track.  Sayaad did poorly last race, will this be a bounce back?

Race 2: The Prioress Stakes.
The second race we have today is also from Saratoga, the Prioress.  This looks like it will be a neat race.  Thirteen Arrows and Stonetastic have been working out well (Bullets), both are coming off wins, and both are front runners.  Cornelio likes them both.  Southern Honey was looking great until a clunker in the Test, not sure if Leparoux will know where to go with this horse in a sprint, but maybe the shorter distance helps.  Sweet Whiskey puts up consistent speed figs, and has Johnny V on top, so she will definitely be a factor, might not make much money on her though. She will probably be jockeying with Miss Behaviour in the middle of the pack, I like Miss Behaviour a little better.  On the outside, watch out for Princess Violet, who will also look to go to the front.

Race 3: Washington Park Handicap.
We switch to Arlington Park for our third race, the Washington Park Handicap.  It’s a small field, no doubt, but some nice horses to choose from.  Fordubai hasn’t put up a win since Januray, and that has in a 100K, I don’t see that changing today.  Gimmeadrink can’t seem to stay <b>OUT</b> of the winner’s circle lately, although he is moving up in class in this race.  The cagey veteran Mister marti Gras comes in as the morning line favorite, and there is much to like there, he’s fast and experienced.  Avanzare is a bit of a wild card, and will be interesting to see where he finishes.

Race 4: The Forego.
Back to Saratoga for the Forego. Mark and Cornelio saw Capo Bastone warming up on the track before last year’s King’s Bishop and looked at each other and said “You bet that, right?”.  However neither of them did, and he went on to win at a great price.  That was his last win, and I just don’t see him getting it done today either.  Vyjack has been up against these horses before, he couldn’t get it done then, and I don’t think that will change today.  Palace and Clearly Now have the experience at the track, and the big numbers to be the favorites in this race.  Falling Sky is just barely second class in this race, but Prado just can’t bring in a winner, and I think that is a factor in this race, wonder what Rajiv could have done on him?

Race 5: The Woodward.
The Saratoga feature, the Woodward is next up, it’s a classic with winners like Havre de Grace, Curlin, Rachel, Quality Road, and Lawyer Ron.  Long River and Romansh are coupled, but I don’t see either of them getting it done against Itsmyluckyday or Moreno.  Good luck chosing a winner between those tow, they both look great.  Micromanage is intriguing, the Repole entry, use in exotics, I’d say.  Prayer for Relief and Ziovo fall into your next tier of horses, they’ll need to step it up. A 6 year old has not won the Woodward since Cigar in 1996!  Norumbega has been working bullets, but I don’t see that helping against the competition in this race.

Race 6: The Del Mar Debutante Stakes.
Lastly we finish with Del Mar, of course.  The Del Mar Debutante! A group of 2 year old females here, so we’re looking at the future Princess of Sylmar and Close Hatches.  Sunset Glow has the most experience here, going 4-2-2-0 with a second at Ascot.  Manahatta has beaten Dad’s Princess and Windy Forecast before, Seduire has 3 races under her belt, two wins and a second.  Baffert is sending out Starlet O’hara, hate the name, but you gotta respect Baffert at this track.

Enjoy the racing folks, and wish Mark luck at Saratoga Saturday, he’s on some sort of roll there, betting big, losing big, then winning it back big.  Enjoy the Labor Day weekend.