The Pick 6 Challenge is back for our annual Derby Prep Challenge. Each weekend we will feature a race from the Derby Prep schedule. This segment will run through April 16th, ending with the Lexington Stakes. We’ve got races from 2 different tracks this week, Laurelton Park and the Fair Grounds. Our feature race this week being the Risen Star Stakes. Let’s get a look at these fields.

Race 1: Barbara Fritchie Stakes (G3)

• Glass Ceiling – Highest speed figure last race, winner of 3 of last 4, 8 3-2-1 at distance, working out well.
• Jakarta – Higher speed figs after switching trainer, high percentage jockey, winner at distance, working out well, concern over “weakened” last race at distance.
• Belle of the North – Returning to sprint distance, 3 2-1-0 record at distance, adequate workouts, lacking speed, may just hit the board and not be a win threat.

Race 2: General George Stakes (G3)

• Cordmaker – Winner of last 3, highest speed figures, high percentage jockey, working bullets.
• Shackqueenking – Consistently racing in the high 90’s for speed figs, winner at Laurelton, working bullets, high percentage jockey / trainer.
• Air Token – Winner last race, experienced at Laurelton, working bullets, no wins at distance moving up in class.

Race 3: Mineshaft Stakes (G3)

• Olympiad – Highest speed last race, winner at distance, winner of 2 of last 3 and 3 of 6 overall, working bullets.
• Miles D – Looking to build on campaign that saw him second in Curlin and third in the Travers, winner of last 2, hasn’t raced since November.
• O Besos – West Point colt has been near the front in a lot of big races, ready to make the jump to graded stakes winner?

Race 4: Fair Grounds Stakes (G3)

• Two Emmys – Highest speed figs, winner at distance, winner at Fair Grounds, has been hitting the board consistently, only 1 win in last 7 starts though.
• Adhamo – Was tearing it up in France early last year but then cooled off. Will coming to the US and adding Lasix be the key for getting back to the winner’s circle? Not underestimating the Europeans here.
• Largent – Second to Colonel Liam in the Pegasus, but a disappointing 4th next race. Can he return to the winner’s circle and see the success he saw in lower class races? High percentage trainer, working out well.
• Halo Again – friend of a friend, has had two great starts since switching from Woodbine polly to Fair Grounds turf. High percentage trainer, could be a surprise win.

Race 5: Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2)

• Hidden Connection – Giving the edge here over Awake because of 2 races at distance, high percentage jockey/trainer, working bullets.
• Awake at Midnyte – Second in last two graded stakes races, high speed last race, working out well, hasn’t gone the distance yet. Uncle Mo.
• Dream Lith – Winner of G2 last race at distance, good speed, graded stakes experience in 3/4 races. Tied for most expensive horse in the race.

Race 6: Risen Star Stakes (G2)

• Smile Happy – Undefeated, winner of G2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, working out well.
• Zandon – Second by a neck in the Remsen, experience at distance, working out bullets, Chad Brown trained.
• Epicenter – Winner of 2 of last 3, lost by a head, consistent speed figures, high percentage jockey, could be a big day for Asmussen.

There you have it, some competitive races to start off the 2022 Pick 6 Challenge.

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