Pick six starts with $80,091

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.

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 thirdplace 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 runnerup 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 firstlevel 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.