It’s mandatory payout time at Charles Town as they’ve announced that their Rainbow 6 wager is in ‘everything must go’ mode on Saturday, December 29.  This is a sequence I’ve personally been chasing for the last few months, so hopefully I’ll get lucky and hit big on payout day! 

The carryover into Saturday’s card is $252,508 and racing gets underway from Charles Town at 7:00PM ET.  The Pick 6 starts with Race 3, at 7:57PM ET, and includes six solid races, including a strong allowance and three races for West Virginia-bred maidens. 

As always, the toughest part of these sequences is deciding which races to single and which races to go deep in.  I think I’ve found a solid mix of the two in my recommended ticket.  Here it is: 

Race 3 – Maiden Claiming

These state-bred maiden claiming races are incredibly difficult to handicap as most of the entrants hate to win races.  #2 WHY NOT ANNIE (3/1) is always well backed, but she’s 0-for-19.  #4 ACROSS AMERICA (2/1) is ‘only’ 0-for-10, but she hasn’t raced in a year.  #3 MS BEAR (9/2) ran OK in her debut at this level and she should move forward from that.  #7 LIL SWEETHEART appears best in dashes like this and I’m glad she’s outside drawn.  May want to include #1 CORKY COWGIRL (12/1) simply because she’s a first time starter and it wouldn’t take a worldbeater to win this.

Pick 6 Horse(s): #1 Corky Cowgirl, #2 Why Not Annie, #3 Ms Bear, #4 Across America, #7 Lil Sweetheart

Race 4 – Claiming

Jeff Runco is the top trainer and he sends out #5 CHERUBIM here for his second start off the layoff.  He usually runs well at Charles Town and is 2-for-4 racing at this level.  He’s very dangerous for owner Rockingham Ranch and their famous turquoise silks.  The only other horse that would have a prayer is #6 TO THE STARS.  He romped in a muddy track race here on November 17 but he’d need an easy lead and I don’t see him getting one unless there are a few scratches.

Pick 6 Horse(s): #5 Cherubim

Race 5 – Maiden Special Weight

Hard to take the 2/1 ML price offered on #6 POSEIDON’S BLUFF (2/1) as he’s 0-for-11 at Charles Town, racing primarily in this type of race.  She’s been better of late, but there just isn’t much to like on her resume.  And if it rains, look out.  She’s worse on an off track.  #7 GATTOLOTTACHARM (3/1) is always in the picture and she seems to have slightly better credentials than POSEIDON’S BLUFF, but she’s 0-for-13 locally and, again, it’s tough to trust a horse like this.  #5 GORGEOUS ROAD hasn’t quite been able to keep up in shorter races and this could be the perfect spot for her as she stretches around two turns.

Pick 6 Horse(s): #3 My Exotic Lady, #5 Gorgeous Road, #7 Gattolottacharm

Race 6 – Claiming

They’re dashing 4 1/2-furlongs in the sixth and that means we need to ticket horses that are quick early. #2 MANINTHEMOON (2/1) is a bad price and he was just beaten in a tougher race, but this field isn’t as solid.  #6 FOR THE LOVE (5/2) and #7 LIGHTS ON (9/2) drew better and will be able to pressure him throughout, so let’s go deeper than the 2/1 favorite and try to get a $10 horse home.

Pick 6 Horse(s): #2 Maninthemoon, #6 For the Love, #7 Lights On

Race 7 – Allowance

You’ve almost always got to find a single or two in these wagers and my second single is #8 DARK EMPRESS (7/5). She is simply much better than this field and should win for fun.  She beat a similar field in her last race by 4-lengths at even-money.

Pick 6 Horse(s): #8 Dark Empress

Race 8 – Maiden Claiming

The nightcap/get out leg is a maiden claiming race loaded with fillies and mares that are absolutely allergic to winning.  #3 HELEN’S PITCH (9/5) is the ML favorite but she’s never hit the board in three races and wasn’t overly impressive last time out.  #7 GOT ANY QUESTIONS (4/1) is the lone first-time-starter in the field and she wouldn’t have to be much of a runner to beat these.  I’ll (almost surely) regret paying to add #5 NIK NIK’S CASTLE (7/2) to my ticket.  She’s 0-for-34 in her career but this field is just so mediocre that it’s not impossible to think #35 would be the lucky one. I’ll toss in some others because this field is so weak, but those are my big three.

Pick 6 Horse(s): #2 Dawn’s House, #3 Helen’s Pitch, #5 Nik Nik’s Castle, #7 Got Any Questions, #8 Wind and Storm

My Ticket

Race 3 – 1, 2, 3, 4, 7
Race 4 – 5
Race 5 – 3, 5, 7
Race 6 – 2, 6, 7
Race 7 – 8
Race 8 – 2, 3, 5, 7, 8

Ticket Cost – $45.00