Lots of big races out West this weekend and we’ve got a lot of them up for the Pick 6 Challenge this weekend. Look for much later start times with the 3 hour time difference. We’ll start with two races from Saratoga. Let’s have a look.

Race 1: Lake Placid Stakes (G2)

• Technical Analysis – Coming off a win and wins in 3 of last 4 starts, high speed figs, high percentage jockey/trainer, winner of 2/3 at distance, looks best on paper.
• Runaway Rumour – 2 wins in a row before fourth in Lake George to winner Technical Analysis, high percentage trainer, good turf speeds.
• Spanish Loveaffair – results have been lacking recently, dropping in distance, speed could be there, announcers were talking up this horse Friday.
• Just Missed – Ego Trip – second in only two starts, working out well, could surprise at a nice price.

Race 2:  Alabama Stakes (G1)

• Malathaat – Winner of 5/6 but second to Maracuja in the Oaks, and many wins by head or neck, so beware. High speed figs, high percentage trainer, all horses are stretching to 1 1/4 so this whole race could fall apart at the end. Beware.
• Maracuja – Winner last race, high percentage trainer, working well, improving in last 3 races at 1 1/16, so may have some left in the tank at 1 1/4?
• Army Wife – Winner of last 2 and hit the board in last 6 starts, high percentage trainer, speed is a little lacking but compares well with Maracuja tossing out last win, key point is she was rallying or driving in last two wins and may like the longer distance here.
• Watch Out For – Played Hard – Winner of last 2, will go to the front, could hang on? Finished on the board in all 5 starts, moving up in class.

Race 3: Del Mar Mile Stakes (G2)

• Mo Forza – Winner of last 2 and 6 of last 7, winner of 4/6 at distance and 2/5 at Del mar, high percentage jockey and was mount for last 2 wins, high speed figs, should duel well with Smooth Like Straight.
• Smooth Like Straight – Winner of 4/7 at distance, high percentage jockey, dropping in distance from last race, working out well, 4 2-2-0 at Del Mar.
• Hit the Road – poor start last race, but winner of 4 before that. Mile specialist, winner of 6/9 at distance and 2/3 at Del Mar, high percentage jockey, beat Smooth Like Straight in Frank E Kilroe mile.

Race 4: Del Mar Oaks (G1)

• Going Global – Winner of 4 of last 5 with a second in last start to Madone, working bullets, high speed figs, high percentage jockey, 2/2 winner at distance. Keeps winning jockey, in good form lately.
• Madone – Hit or miss with 5 wins in 7 starts and off the board in the other 2, don’t think she can keep with Going Global at the extra 1/8.
• Closing Remarks – Always a second or third it seems like, may like the distance over 1 mile, lost by a neck to Going Global last time out at 1 1/16. High percentage jockey and trainer, hit the board in last 5 starts, working well. Nice price.

Race 5: Pacific Classic (G1)

• Royal Ship – Hardest thing to do is bet agaist Mike Smith at Del Mar, will have the experience out West over Dr Post, working well. Throw a blanket over these three.
• Dr Post – It is hard to bet against Dr Post and Todd Pletcher with Joel Rosario, winner of 3 starts this year, won last race, has the speed, working well.
• Tripoli – having a great 2021 with high speed figs and great results, could be peaking at right time for the Classic, has been at the front for finishes recently, could like the longer distance, working bullets, nice price, not that far off Royal Ship.
• Just Missed – Express Train – I dropped him because of the poor result in the Gold Cup at 1 1/4 coming in distant third to Royal Ship, training well, speed figs are there, high percentage trainer/jockey, could be off on this one.

Race 6: Del Mar Handicap (G2)

• United – Coming off a win and winner of 2/3 this year, high percentage jockey, has gone distance before, working out well, 5 3-2-0 at Del Mar, experience wins the day?
• Arklow – Coming off a disaster at United Nations, I think he has the speed to win, high percentage jockey, coming off 2 wins before stumble, less experience out West drops to second favorite.
• Acclimate – more experience than Say The Word at Del Mar, winner last race, trending upward, working OK.
• Just Missed – Say the Word – Must overcome outside post, but less a factor in long race on turf, results and distances are all over the place here, keeping an eye on Joe Bravo.

Alright, that’s all the time I have to spend today. Watch for scratches late, good luck today.

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