Arizona Downs: How to bet the $3,885 Pick 5 carryover

On a busy Saturday of racing throughout North America, most bettors figure to focus their attention on the high-profile graded stakes taking place at Saratoga, Monmouth Park, Del Mar, and Woodbine.

But if you would like to chase a non-jackpot carryover, then you’re advised to check out the action at Arizona Downs. The 50-cent “Cactus 5” Pick 5 boasts a $3,885 carryover for a sequence kicking off in Race 5 at 6:45 p.m. ET.

Wondering where to begin in constructing your ticket(s)? We’ve got you covered with a pair of suggested singles:

Race 5: King’s S. (six furlongs): #6 El Chavo Del Ocho (7-5)

El Chavo Del Ocho looks mighty tough to catch in this six-furlong dash. The seven-year-old gelding has gone 2-for-2 since shipping to Arizona Downs earlier this summer, dominating the 5 1/2-furlong Inaugural S. by four lengths before trouncing a six-furlong allowance optional claimer by 2 1/2 lengths.

These blowout victories produced lofty Brisnet Speed ratings of 93 and 94. There isn’t much speed in the King’s S. field, so El Chavo Del Ocho figures to seize the early lead and never look back at a short price.

Race 8: $8,000-$4,000 Starter Optional Claiming (one mile): #7 Go for a Ride (8-5)

There’s very little pace entered in this one-mile heat. Five of the seven entrants are rallying types, and one of the speedsters—#5 Ostini (12-1)—hasn’t cracked the trifecta since July 2020.

That’s why Go for a Ride looms as a logical single. Conditioned by high-percentage trainer Justin Evans (a 28% winner at Arizona Downs this meet), Go for a Ride has set or pressed the pace in each of his last three starts. He was particularly sharp in his Arizona Downs debut earlier this month, pressing the pace in a $6,250-$5,000 starter optional claimer before taking command to win the one-mile race by three-quarters of a length.

Go for a Ride figures to sit a perfect trip setting or pressing a slow pace on Saturday. He posted an 84 Brisnet Speed rating last time out and retains the services of hot jockey Isaias Enriquez, a 32% winner at Arizona Downs who has gone 6-for-13 (46%) teaming up with Evans over the last two months. I believe a comfortable victory is in the offing.

Good luck!