I wish we had a few more big races out East, but it looks like it is the West’s day to shine with a lot of races out of Del Mar this weekend. As a reminder, this segment of the Pick 6 Challenge will go through the Kentucky Derby, which is being run the first weekend in September this year. Let’s get to it!

Race 1: Philip H. Iselin Stakes (G3)

• Warrior’s Charge – working out OK, 4/4 wins at distance, high percentage jockey, should go to the front
• Bal Harbour – highest last race speed fig in only 2020 start, working bullets, NEVER underestimate Joe Bravo
• Mind Control – those 2 wins in 2020 seem like a lifetime ago in March, working bullets, will be stretching out distance

Race 2: Fourstardave Handicap (G1)

• Uni – hard to fault her losing to Newspaperofrecord, won 7/9 at distance, Chad Brown trained, high percentage jockey/trainer
• Halladay – hit the board in all 3 starts at distance, high percentage jockey/trainer, dropping distance
• Raging Bull – 3 wins and hit the board in 7/8 at distance, high percentage jockey and trainer, racing well, first and a second this year
• Just Missed – Got Stormy – winner of last years 4stardave, working well

Race 3: Green Flash Handicap (G3)

• Chaos Theory – won last race, speed figs in 90’s, working bullets, hot jockey, winner of 4/8 at distance
• Mikes Tiznow – going to the front, winner of last 3, winner of 4/5 at distance, lightly raced in last 2 years
• Mesut – dropping from 1m last race, high percentage jockey, shows good speed at 5f, working out well

Race 4: Del Mar Handicap (G2)

• United – winner of last 3, high speed ratings, working out well, high percentage jockey, winner of 2/3 at Del Mar, could be class of the field
• Originaire – lost twice to United, maybe the only horse to keep speed though?
• Oscar Dominguez – has some experience on the turf and with long races, and at Del Mar

Race 5: Del Mar Oaks (G1)

• Laura’s Light – winner 4/5 high speed fig, has won at distance
• Niege Blanche – taking the shippers in turf is usually not a bad move, winner of last race, high percentage jockey/trainer
• Miss Extra – another shipper, high percentage jockey, winner of 3/4 this year

Race 6: Pacific Classic (G1)

• Maximum Security – a horse on another level, winner 8/9 including last 5, high percentage trainer, bet the chalk today
• Higher Power – 1/4 at distance, but has more experience at distance than anyone else, 3rd to maximum Security in San Diego H, high percentage jockey/trainer
• Midcourt – second to Maximum Security by a nose in San Diego H, will take another great race to beat him

There you have it, some great races Saturday evening from Del Mar. I had hoped for a few more from Saratoga, but things seem really spread out this year. Good luck, enjoy the racing, try to beat me in the Pick 6 Challenge.

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