Fair Grounds: Two singles for the $1,547 Pick 6 carryover

The Saturday card at Fair Grounds was full of surprises. No one came close to hitting the $1 Pick 6, generating a $1,547 Pick 6 carryover into Sunday’s card.

Sunday’s Pick 6 starts in Race 3 (post time 2:45 ET) and should be winnable on a modest budget. Two stakes in the sequence feature standout favorites worth singling at short prices.

Let’s examine their credentials:

Race 6: Louisiana Futurity: #4 Smoken Wicked (3-5)

The colts and geldings division of the six-furlong Louisiana Futurity looks ripe for conquest by Smoken Wicked. Just 15 days ago, he employed pace-tracking tactics to win the Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile S. over this track and distance by two lengths.

Smoken Wicked previously displayed sharp form against non-state-restricted competition. He dominated a $100,000 allowance optional claimer at Churchill Downs by 8 1/4 lengths after hitting the board in the Champagne (G1), Hopeful (G1), Saratoga Special (G2), and Bashford Manor S.

Smoken Wicked owns the three highest Brisnet Speed ratings in the Louisiana Futurity field and should be mighty tough to beat while facing only five rivals, two of whom he’s already defeated.

Race 8: Louisiana Futurity: #7 Secret Faith (2-5)

Secret Faith is hands-down the runner to beat in the fillies division of the Louisiana Futurity. Her 6-5-1-0 record includes four stakes wins (three against Louisiana-breds) and a narrow defeat in the Louisiana Champions Day Lassie S. over this track and distance 15 days ago.

Secret Faith ran a big race in the Louisiana Champions Day Lassie. She was beaten only a head while pulling 9 1/4 lengths clear of the third-place finisher, and she earned a 93 Brisnet Speed rating that tops the Louisiana Futurity field by 12 points.

Secret Faith had previously earned Brisnet Speed ratings of 92, 88, and 84, so she actually owns the four highest numbers in the Louisiana Futurity field. Since Louisiana Champions Day Lassie winner Blue Fire is skipping Sunday’s race, the door is wide open for Secret Faith to return to the winner’s circle under hot jockey Florent Geroux, who has gone 7-for-25 (28%) at Fair Grounds this meet.

Good luck!