This week in the Pick 6 Challenge, we are featuring five races from Arlington Park, and the Fourstardave from Saratoga.
Race 1: The Pucker Up Stakes.
This is a tough race to handicap. Unbridled Courage comes off 3 wins in a row, but is definitely moving up in class, and has never raced the turf. Mizz Money has the turf experience, working out well, and could definitely be a factor. American Mon Amie and Ahhh Chocolate seem pretty evenly matched, Ahh Chocolate having never raced turf. I really like Prado’s Sweet Ride in this one, having won at the distance, and 4 wins on turf. Miss Chatelaine is peaking at the right time, and Walking the Kitten has the breeding (read as Ramsey cat horse) to be a factor. Good luck everyone!
Race 2: The American St. Leger Stakes.
Another rough race to handicap, Cornelio is liking the middle of the pack here. Looking at The Pizza Man, Hyper, and Xtra Luck. Pizza Man has a great record in turf races, Hyper is looking to get that stride back that he had a year ago when he was routinely running 100s, and throw out a poor run last race and Xtra Luck is ready to bounce back. Roman Approval or Cucero (coming off an upset win) are your long shots.
Race 3: The Secretariat Stakes.
This is our smallest field of the day. Force the pass looks like a favorite, with good turf stats, a win at distance, and a 6 4-2 lifetime record. Granny’s Kitten is going the wrong way, and looks to turn it around today. Highland Reel, Goldstream, and War Dispatch are your out of towners, and could pull the upset, good luck!
Race 4: The Beverly D.
Cornelio is of course a fan of Stephanie’s Kitten, who will try to bounce back from a poor showing in the Diana. Wedding Vow is coming off a first and a second, your Irish connection. Secret Gesture and Euro Charline are your GB connections, and could be a factor. Secret Gesture has a decent turf record won 2 races ago. Euro Charline finished strong last year, and is the defending race winner. Cornelio has a hard time handicapping the races when the Euros show up, so good luck everyone.
Race 5: The Fourstardave.
Race five takes us to Saratoga. Mshawish was on a 3 race winning streak before coming in third at Meydan, trained by Pletcher so he’ll take some money this race. Ironicus and King Kreesa seem to be on a roll at the right time, and both look good for this race. Seek Again is last years winner, but hasn’t won since, and I think has seen better days. Vyjack scratched last week to hit this race, and Jack Milton is a great bet as well this race. I could probably use 4 or 5 picks here, and we haven’t even hit the millions yet!
Race 6: The Arlington Millions.
Our last race of the day is the Arlington Millions. Slumber is working well, and has the speed to do great. Cornelio loves Big Blue Kitten in this race, coming off a win and 2 seconds, once beating Slumber, once beaten by Slumber. This could be good! The Pizza Man also entered in this race, would be an upset. Watch for Legendary, 2-0-1 at distance, and of course, those shippers could be a factor. Cornelio really thinks this is a 2 horse race between Kitten and Slumber.
Good luck everyone, and check back next week to see what 6 races we choose to handicap.