Churchill Downs: $52,666 Single 6 carryover set for mandatory dispersal

The Churchill Downs fall meet is set to end with a bang on Sunday, when a $52,666 Single 6 carryover will be dispersed among all winning ticket holders.

With 64 horses (before scratches) in the six-race sequence, putting together a winning play won’t be easy. But on the bright side, the winning payoff should be thoroughly satisfying for any bettor skilled and/or lucky enough to bring it home.

Saturday recap

Although 7-10 favorite Simply Ravishing suffered a surprising defeat in the Golden Rod (G2), the remainder of the Single 6 sequence unfolded in reasonably straightforward fashion. A pair of favorites took home top honors, and every winner started at 5-1 or less, triggering a $0.20-cent Single 6 payoff of $1,344.62. It wasn’t a huge return in the scheme of the Single 6, but it did beat the theoretical $2 win parlay payoff of $1,164.24.

Sunday insights

The final Single 6 sequence of 2020 kicks off with a major handicapping quandary in Race 6, a 6-furlong maiden special weight. #3 Fastly (8-5) is clearly the quickest horse on paper—his last three Brisnet Speed ratings are the three highest figures in the field, and he’s hit the board in all six of his starts. But Fastly also had every opportunity to win his last three starts, and he faltered to finish second every time. As good as he looks at first glance, Fastly may lack the determination to win a tight battle, making him tough to trust at a short price.

Race 8, a 7-furlong maiden special weight for 2-year-olds, is another tough race to handicap. The experienced runners aren’t the most inspiring, but none of the first-time starters seem guaranteed to run out of their skin on debut. #9 Now a Jaguar (9-2) warrants some respect after running okay in his first two starts against future stakes winners Sittin On Go and King Fury. But the son of Street Sense has yet to show any tactical speed and will be at the mercy of the pace on Sunday, so #2 Racarino (9-2), #5 Patriarch Artie (9-2), #6 Bugle of War (12-1), and #7 Convention (4-1) are others to consider as backup.

The finale of the fall meet is Race 11, a 6-furlong maiden dash for 2-year-old fillies. If you want to take a stand, #3 Amusing Antics (4-1) seems like a live contender at a fair price. Conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, the speedy filly chased very fast fractions in her first two starts of this track and distance, finishing second and third with competitive Brisnet Speed ratings. In her debut, she actually finished ahead of future Rags to Riches S. runner-up Lady Traveler.

If Amusing Antics is able to secure a more relaxed journey on Sunday, she will challenge morning line favorite #10 Amalfi Princess (5-2) for victory.

Good luck!