Litfin's preview: Invader key to pick six

26,592 REASONS TO PLAY THE PICK SIX

The penultimate week of the meet gets under way with a $26,592 pick six carryover covering races 4 through 9.

It may well be that bettors gravitate to a shipper as the likeliest single, because at odds of 6-5 on the morning line the Parx Racing-based invader Wild Kay is the shortest-priced favorite in the sequence.

Wild Kay prevailed against similar $12,500 claiming sprinters here May 15, and returns to town after setting the pace in a tough starter allowance against Speedboat Sally, who was winning her third straight.

2-YEAR-OLDS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Among five straight dirt sprints to open the card are two maiden races for 2-year-olds.

Seven unraced New York-bred fillies go 5 1/2 furlongs in race 1, including Razia Sultana, a homebred half-sister to Samraat, the fifth-place finisher in the Kentucky Derby who started off with five straight wins for these same connections, My Meadowview Farm and Rick Violette Jr.

Zo Zo ($100,000 sale purchase) and She’s Marvy ($115,000) bear watching, as each sold in training recently for considerably more than the $17,500 stud fee of their respective sires, Super Saver and Bellamy Road.

Seven unraced colts dash five furlongs in race 3, where freshman sire Super Saver is also represented by I Spent It, an aptly named colt who fetched $600,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Florida sale in March.

Todd Pletcher, who has unveiled two nice prospects here recently in Fashion Alert and Angela Renee, sends out Battle Red, a $270,000 purchase at Keeneland’s April sale.

Enjoy the Show, a Jump Start colt from the live barn of Jimmy Toner, recorded three consecutive bullet workouts at Fair Hill before blowing out in 35 seconds from the gate on the training track here last week.

4 STAKES WINNERS IN RACE 8

The term “optional claiming” in the conditions of race 8 is a misnomer, as all six fillies and mares in the $85,000 sprint scheduled for the inner turf fit either the three-other-than condition or the stipulation allowing non-winners of a stakes in 2014.

Four among the sextet are stakes winners, with six-time stakes winner Sensible Lady the most accomplished but attempting to win past 5 1/2 furlongs for the first time. The late-running mare makes her third start of the year after a belated rally against males in the Pennsylvania Governor’s Cup, and will need someone to put some pressure on To My Valentine through the early stages.

To My Valentine, idle since finishing a neck in front of Sensible Lady from post 13 in The Very One Stakes in mid-May, may have a pace advantage if able to get loose early, as she did wiring the Ladies Sprint at Kentucky Downs last fall.

HORSEs TO WATCH

THE BROTHERS WAR
Trainer: Rick Mettee
Last race: June 29, 7th
Finish: 2nd by 2 3/4
Beyer: 87

Lagged in the second flight through the opening half-mile and found his best stride against Spring to the Sky, who scorched six furlongs on the inner turf in near-record 1:07.05. Third to Grade 2 winner Central Banker in U.S. debut at Saratoga last July.