$80K pick six carryover to start the week

ARCADIA, Calif. – The pick six begins with a traditional carryover of $80,091 on Thursday at Santa Anita. Track officials forecast Thursday’s total pool will top $500,000.

The sequence includes three seemingly predictable maiden sprints, an allowance sprint for California-breds, and two sprints on turf. The sequence is not tough. Contenders are conspicuous in each leg. Therefore, the pick six should be easy to hit. Sure it is.

Here is a look at the pick six, which covers races 3-8.

Race 3

A single in the opening leg? Empire Ruler drops to the bottom class level, $20,000 maiden-claiming. His speed figures top the field, and recent trends support the likely favorite.

Since May, maiden-20 male sprint favorites at Santa Anita and Del Mar won 9 of 17. Trainer Ron Ellis won with 5 of his last 10 favorites at the level. If the track continues to be tiring (final times slower than normal opening week), Empire Ruler should get there at 6 1/2 furlongs.

Secondary contenders include Orejas, Sooner Boomer, and Gato Dolce.

Race 4

Bruce Headley trains, owns, and bred the principals in this Cal-bred allowance. The Street Fighter earned a 94 Beyer Speed Figure finishing second last out in a similar statebred allowance that was validated when winner Touching Rainbows and third-place Coils Gold won next out.

The Street Fighter, however, is pace-dependent. He requires fast fractions to set up his rally, which does not always happen at seven furlongs. The Street Fighter might be the “best horse,” but stablemate Gigantis has a tactical advantage due to his pressing style. Gigantis won three straight in spring at Santa Anita and ran well in his recent comeback.

Secondary contenders include Peter Miller-trained, Gary Barber-owned Getoffmyback and Fly to Mars.

Race 5

Del Mar Ann returns from a freshening to the course on which she won in spring. Her pressing/stalking style should lead to a good trip in this $25,000 claiming turf sprint, which will be run with the rails at the outermost 30-foot setting.

Not Too Shiny also likes the course. She is a three-time winner on the hill and will roll from the back. Secondary contenders include Wonderful Lie, Macalla, and Comealongwithme.

Race 6

A better-than-looked runner-up debut by Carrie’s Success stamps her as the one to beat in this sprint for Cal-bred maiden 2-year-old fillies. Blinkers are on. She was compromised by a slow start first out. Secondary contenders include Bella Style, Smiling Tigress, and My Claw.

Race 7

Mr Vargas gate to wire? The lightly raced gelding crushed maidens last out on dirt and is the one to catch in this first-level allowance turf sprint. Turf is fine, he ran well finishing second in a turf sprint two starts back. The challenge is distance – 6 1/2 furlongs is uncharted territory. Secondary contenders include Trifecta, Cheekaboom, and Anatolian Heat.

Race 8

Decarchy Dawn finished second in both starts at Del Mar against similar maiden-claiming statebreds. Gelded since, and adding blinkers, he enters as a logical favorite. But he faces at least two worthy rivals in Reverend Al and Divulge.

First post Thursday is 1 p.m. Post time for race 3, first leg of the six, is 2 p.m.