All-graded stakes Pick 6 at Saratoga has several keys

By no means am I a Pick 6 kinda guy (Pick 3s and Pick 4s are tough enough). However, NYRA has been kind enough to lump six of their seven graded stakes on Saturday together to form the day's Pick 6 sequence, an enticement not usually found outside of a Triple Crown race day or the Breeders' Cup.

With a number of favorites looking fairly strong, this might be a decent opportunity for those that don't generally look at the Pick 6 to try their hand at the wager while keeping their outlay to a reasonable level. Here's a look at the caveman ticket I'll be putting in, mostly for fun and entertainment purposes.

Personal Ensign (6th)

With Untapable not as fear-inducing as she once was and Sheer Drama still a bit suspect from a class perspective, I'll single STOPCHARGINGMARIA (#4) as she attempts to make it five wins from six starts on Saratoga's main track.

Ballerina (7th)

Taking a stand against La Verdad, who often finds anything beyond six furlongs in top company a tough ask. ROOM FOR ME (#3) took a good late run at that one in the 6 1/2-furlong Vagrancy H. (G3) in May and had a trip excuse in her one poor try since joining the David Jacobson barn. DAME DOROTHY (#6) is a true seven-furlong animal that has won seven of nine lifetime starts.

King's Bishop (8th)

Perhaps a good race to try and spread as likely favorite HOLY BOSS (#7) failed in his lone attempt beyond six furlongs. COMPETITIVE EDGE (#3) played sacrificial lamb in the Haskell Invitational (G1) and might have been affected by a virus at Woody Stephens (G2) time, so he's worth using over a track he likes. WATERSHED (#4) is aggressively spotted off a debut win three weeks ago and could be any kind. CLASSY CLASS (#8) is the more experienced of Kiaran McLaughlin's two entries and a hot pace should be favorable to his running style.

Forego (9th)

PRIVATE ZONE (#7) is one of the nation's best in the seven-furlong to one-mile range, but a tad surprised connections didn't choose to leave him fresh for a three-peat attempt in the Vosburgh (G1). THE BIG BEAST (#5) loves this track and was unlucky to end up on the wrong side of the photo in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. (G1). RACE DAY (#1) is surely better than what he showed in the Salvator Mile (G3) and might benefit from the cut back to seven furlongs. BOURBON COURAGE (#2) is another interesting stalker/closer making his second start since joining the Graham Motion stable. SALUTOS AMIGOS (#10) ran evenly in the Vanderbilt in what was a slightly sub-par performance. He's capable of better.

Sword Dancer (10th)

Any way you slice it, FLINTSHIRE (#2) towers over this field from a class perspective. His tendency to finish second or third in big races perhaps is a good reason to try and beat him, but I'm not going to.

Travers (11th)

On paper the race sets up much like the Belmont S. (G1) did, with AMERICAN PHAROAH (#2) likely to set a leisurely pace from an inside draw. If he's right, it's going to take an awful lot to pull off an upset.

Here's the $2 ticket: 4 with 3,6 with 3,4,7,10 with 1,2,5,7,10 with 2 with 2 = $80.