Wednesday Del Mar Pick 6 observations from Shapiro

by SCOTT SHAPIRO

The racing week at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club commences Wednesday afternoon with a Pick 6 carryover of $96,599.72 in addition to the jackpot for a single ticket of $89,338.58.

The sequence starts in Race 3 with an open $32,000 claimer run at one mile over the lawn and concludes with a starter allowance event for non-winners of two over the same surface and distance.

Strong field sizes and the lack of a heavy favorite make this a wager that is all but certain to pay handsomely if you are able to piece together six consecutive winners.

You can find my full card selections and analysis at the link below, but here are a few thoughts if you are thinking about getting involved:

https://www.brisnet.com/product/selections-picks-reports/WDS

Most likely winner:

Given the competitiveness of the fields, it was difficult to come up with a single in the sequence but in the end, I think the best horse to lean on comes in the sixth race.

#8 It’s The Ice had a solid spring at Santa Anita Park for trainer Phil D’Amato and California racing syndicate Little Red Feather Racing. Most recently the four-year-old gelding led throughout but was unable to hold off French Getaway in the lane posting a game second.

The son of Sakhee’s Secret draws outside the likely pacesetter, #1 I’ll Wrap It Up, which should allow jockey Tiago Pereira to stalk just off this Kentucky-bred early. I expect Pereira to put away this rival when they turn for home and have enough to hold off the late runners in the final furlong. The rails being out at thirty feet increase It’s The Ice’s chances of winning.

He is listed as the 5-2-morning line favorite and is likely to go off as the top choice, but I do not foresee him being below 2-1.

Race most likely to produce chaos:

The first leg of the lucrative carryover is a full field turf event that appears wide-open.

#7 Salsita is an extremely vulnerable favorite in this spot. The six-year-old mare has not been the same horse over her last three starts and appears to be going the wrong way after a solid career.

Additionally, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer is off to an ice-cold start at the Del Mar summer meeting failing to get to the winner’s circle yet despite 16 starters.

Finally, apprentice jockey Evin Roman has had a great start to his career over the Southern California circuit, but he struggled in turf routes at Santa Anita this spring and failed to hit the wire first in similar events at Del Mar during the first week of the meet.

The other “logicals” based on the morning line appear capable, but #3 Arethusa has yet to win in the States since arriving in 2016 and #8 Speak Up Sailor has not won since last September.

This race could quite easily produce a double-digit winner and gives Del Mar a chance to get a double carryover into Thursday afternoon.

Good luck if you are getting involved in the Pick 6. Hopefully this information will assist you in solving the thought-provoking slate.

To download Shapiro’s Daily Selections each day, featuring full-card analysis with best bets, CLICK HERE