The Pick 6 is my favorite wager. I rarely play it, but when I do it seems like I usually get close to the prize. I’ve had 5 of 6 many times, but at my young age of 20 I’ve yet to successfully hit the entire sequence. I have been alive in the 6th race 3 times only to fall short. I hope that doesn’t happen tomorrow as I will be making a big play. Let’s breakdown the Pick 6 at Saratoga on September 1, 2010!

Race 5: I’m not going to over think this race. I’m using #1 Arrr Pirates Booty (3-1) and #4 Stroke (2-1). The Linda Rice barn has been nearly unstoppable so I expect the favorite to take top honors here.

Race 6: I’m using #1 Talk To Nick (4-1) and #6 Dance Floor Maniac (4-1). I like the speed that Talk To Nick is likely to flash from the rail. He faded last out, but I think he could go from flag fall to thats all turning back in distance for trainer Rudy Rodriguez. Dance Floor Maniac is super consistent and will get first jump on Talk To Nick. I feel pretty confident I will get through this leg with just these two, but I wouldn’t mind having #2 Devilish Due.

Race 7:  I’m not wild about this race. I could see myself going down here. My horses are #5 Power Dreams (6-1) and #6 Precious Metal (7/2). The latter is a fast working first time starter and the former picked up the pieces in a maiden claimer to be third last out. Stretching out on the turf there is no telling what might happen. The rail horse is favored for Linda Rice, but I don’t like babies that haven’t worked five furlongs yet.

Race 8: This is a tough race, but I feel confident with Avanta (8-1), Pleine Forme (5-1), and Believe In A.P. (8-1). All three hold an excellent hand. Avanta has the benefit of jockey Johnny Velazquez and trainer Todd Pletcher. I like her turf pedigree and she will be tough while throwing the blinkers on after a stalking victory against maiden claiming company in which Pletcher swiped her away from Bill Mott. Pleine Forme picks up Ramon Dominguez who seemingly could have had the mount on Arch Support who is lower odds. Pleine Forme is trained by turf expert Graham motion. She scored a first out victory over the Poly Track at Presque Isle. Believe In A.P. put in a good effort last out for Jay Em Ess and Dick Dutrow finishing a close third despite closing into slow fractions. Julien Leparoux will ride and he is always an asset on the turf.

Race 9:  I’m going out on a limb by singling Sumfun (6-1). From five starts at the distance he has won three times and finished second and third. He won an allowance at Lone Star earlier this year before finishing second to the grizzled veteran Atticus Kristy at Churchill Downs. The son of Menifee was claimed last out by Gary Diprima who  saddles 19% winners first after the claim. He’s in with a big shot, but I wouldn’t mind having Matt’s A Giant (6-1) and Sly (4-1).

Race 10: He isn’t what he used to be, but I’m hoping that The Roundhouse (4-1) can get me home in the final leg of the Pick 6.  He is making a slight class drop after finishing fourth beaten three lengths in his last start. I’m hoping he can find some of the run that allowed him to win an optional claiming even at Aqueduct earlier this year. I’m also using French Transition (12-1). The gelding son was a good second on the turf at this level two starts back.

The total cost of my ticket is $96. Win or lose, I’ll be on the edge of my seat the whole way cheering my horses on. Who do YOU like?