Churchill Downs: Betting the Kentucky Derby Day mandatory-payout $75,438 Pick 6 carryover

One of the most enticing bets on Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs is the Derby City 6. The 20-cent jackpot Pick 6 has accumulated a $75,438 carryover that will be paid out in mandatory fashion during Saturday’s card.

The all-stakes sequence gets underway in Race 7 (post time 1:56 p.m. ET) and culminates with the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1). Let’s take a race-by-race look at the Pick 6 and assemble a ticket for $240:

Race 7: Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2) (one mile on turf)

#3 Chili Flag (4-1) unleashed a big stretch kick to win the one-mile Honey Fox (G3) at Gulfstream two months ago for trainer Chad Brown. But stablemate #11 Coppice (5-1) has the form lines to factor in her U.S. debut, and we don’t dare dismiss #5 Cairo Consort (8-1), who beat yesterday’s Modesty (G3) winner Fast as Flight in the Sand Springs S. at Gulfstream Park five weeks ago. Even multiple graded stakes winner #7 Evvie Jets (6-1) and the third Brown trainee #6 Delahaye (8-1) are eligible to challenge.

Race 8: Pat Day Mile (G2) (one mile)

#11 Vlahos (8-1) earned a powerful 101 Brisnet Speed rating when wiring his debut sprinting 6 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita, but he’s stepping up in class and distance while facing a field packed with speed. He can win, but rivals like #12 Nash (3-1), #8 Top Conor (5-2), and #7 Who Dey (10-1) are other viable contenders if Vlahos falters.

Race 9: American Turf (G2) (1 1/16 miles on turf)

#5 Legend of Time (7-2), winner of three straight in Dubai, is shaping up as a formidable favorite for trainer Charlie Appleby, who excels with his shippers to North America. In order to afford spreading deeper elsewhere, we’ll take a stand and single Legend of Time.

Race 10: Churchill Downs (G1) (seven furlongs)

We’ll spread with four horses in this competitive seven-furlong dash. #2 Tejano Twist (4-1) has finished second twice this year to leading U.S. sprinter Skelly. #4 Mr. Wireless (6-1), an accomplished route racer, earned a massive 107 Brisnet Speed rating when cutting back in distance to win a six-furlong $80,000 allowance optional claimer in his 2024 debut. #7 Track Mate (12-1) has won two straight allowance heats sprinting at Oaklawn, earning a 102 Brisnet Speed rating in the second. And #11 Hoist the Gold (7-2) finished second in this race last year behind eventual Horse of the Year Cody’s Wish.

Race 11: Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic (G1) (1 1/8 miles on turf)

There are plenty of viable win contenders in this deep turf test. #6 I’m Very Busy (4-1) impressed in the Muniz Memorial Classic (G2) last time out, and #11 Naval Power (7-2) exits a good second to Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) winner Master of The Seas in the Maker’s Mark Mile (G1). #5 Program Trading (9-2) won the Hollywood Derby (G1) and Saratoga Derby (G1) last year, #1 Integration (5-1) beat Program Trading in the 2023 Virginia Derby (G3), and #4 Far Bridge (8-1) is a consistent graded stakes campaigner who won the 2023 Belmont Derby (G1). We’ll use all five.

Race 12: Kentucky Derby (G1) (1 1/4 miles)

If runaway Florida Derby (G1) winner #17 Fierceness (5-2) brings his A-game, he’ll be mighty tough to beat. But he hasn’t been the most consistent horse so far. We’ll back him up with Blue Grass (G1) hero #2 Sierra Leone (3-1) and fast-finishing Louisiana Derby (G2) winner #4 Catching Freedom (8-1).

• 20-cent Pick 6: 3,5,6,7,11 with 7,8,11,12 with 5 with 2,4,7,11 with 1,4,5,6,11 with 2,4,17 ($240)

Good luck!