Call it fate, call it a long cold winter, call it what you like, but the Pick 6 Challenge is back this year. You get six races to chose the winners for each week. Let’s have at it.

It is an off week of racing in the 2020 Derby Championship Series with no races awarding points this week. I should have started this game last week with the Risen Star at Fair Grounds. We have 6 races on tap today with the feature being the G2 Buena Vista from Santa Anita Park.

Race 1: Turf Dash Stakes

• Justaholic – put up an amazing 109 last race, but that was last year. Been working out well lately.
• Extravagant Kid – consistent high 97 speed figs, winner of last 2, raced at distance
• Faction Cat – breakout 100 last race, winner in 2020, moving up in class

Race 2: The World of Trouble Sprint

• Lasting Legacy – gets jockey Paco Lopez back, won 3 times last summer, 4 wins at distance, looking for first of 2020
• Epic Dreamer – a homer or a zero, faltered badly last race, but bullet workout and returns to winning jockey, you’ll probably either win or be last with this one
• Admiral Lynch – moves up in class, won last race, consistent speed
• Just Missed – Fast Pass seems the best of the rest

Race 3: Lightning City Stakes

• Jean Elizabeth – winner of last 6, this horse is firing, working out well
• Girls Know Best – 2nd to Jean E, but good showing last race, I like that she has run in 2020 already
• Escapade – had a good stretch of wins in 2018,2019, popped up for a 2nd last race
• Just Missed – lots of horses that haven’t run in 2020 yet looking to make a splash, can they beat Jean Elizabeth?

Race 4: Haynesfield Stakes

• Mr. Buff – highest speed, winner of last 2, high win percentage, tough to beat today
• Syndergaard – only other horse to hit the 100’s recently, hasn’t raced in 9 months!
• I Love Jaxson – winner of last 2, winning jockey and trainer
• Just Missed – Honor Up, can he find the speed of years past?

Race 5: Any Limit Stakes

• Frank’s Rockette – a win and 3 seconds, has the speed, and graded stakes experience
• Sound Machine – high speed winner last race, stepping up in class
• Belladonnia – it really shapes up like a 2 horse race, but coming off a win and two 2nds, front runner could contend? Bad post.

Race 6: Buena Vista Stakes

• Jolie Olimpica – the man you love to hate on an undefeated horse with a high percentage trainer.
• Carressa – 3 wins and a 2nd in last 4, needs to step up again to win this one
• Lady Prancealot – Jersey Joe coming out West with another high percentage trainer, winner of last 2.

Good luck everybody, have a good weekend, and bet happy.