How to play the Saturday Breeders' Cup Pick Six
Here's my race-by-race rundown of Saturday's Breeders' Cup Pick 6 at Churchill Downs. I'm building my wager with TicketMaker, found exclusively on DRF.com.
Race 6: Turf Sprint (G2)
Perfect Officer (4) and Havelock (10) are pure turf/sprint specialists, and that's the type that win these races, be it the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint or a mid-level claimer. Regally Ready (8) fits in that regard, and of course Chamberlain Bridge (14) is as good as anyone, but his wide post relegates him to "B" status.
Race 7: Dirt Mile (G1)
Trappe Shot (9) would be the sole "A" if he were proven at a one-turn mile, but as it stands I'll also use Jersey Town (7), who won the 2010 Cigar Mile, under these circumstances in what was clearly his best-ever effort. The Factor (1) and Irrefutable (6) are dangerous speeds.
Race 8: Turf (G1)
I found it difficult to split Midday (9), Sarafina (2) and Sea Moon (7), which necessitates a costly, three-headed "A" play. St. Nicholas Abbey (1) and Await the Dawn (6) are also Euros with a clear shot, and while they seem a notch below the top three they merit inclusion as "B" plays.
Race 9: Juvenile (G1)
Creative Cause (7) and Drill (4) come out of the Norfolk, which came up okay, and while the former was welk in front of the latter Drill is eligible to improve off that effort given some more pace help in the Juvenile. The "B" horses include Union Rags (10), a horse you have to use, even if he lacks two-turn experience, and Optimizer (13), a horse with a big kick and steady works.
Race 10: Mile (G1)
Goldikova (1) is an "A" on virtually all tickets, but the inside draw and the cautious pessimism that she may be a step below what she's been in previous years makes Strong Suit (11) a horse to consider for equal footing. Zoffany (2) fits and Gio Ponti (5) is the top contender from the U. S.
Race 11: Classic (G1)
To Honor and Serve (13) is wide but he seems to be going in the right direction and may be sitting on the best race of his life. Havre de Grace (10) makes her third start off the layoff and shows a classic figure pattern for a horse on the verge of a big effort, perhaps a career best, and that would be more than good enough. Flat Out (2) was handled by Havre de Grace when they last met but wasn't far off the filly in the Woodward and warrants inclusion on some level. So You Think (5) is a bit of a flyer, while Stay Thirsty (9) and Uncle Mo (12) are clearly at least capable for Team Repole.
My wagers
With TicketMaker I'm able to put greater emphasis on my "A" selections while still having coverage with my "B" and "C" picks just in case. This allows me to maximize my budget for this pick six.
