Churchill Downs: How to bet the $13,327 Super High 5 carryover

Let’s see… 10 entries, 30,240 possible outcomes. That’s the challenge facing bettors in Sunday’s 10th race at Churchill Downs, which features a lofty $13,327 carryover in the $1 Super High 5.

The race in question is a $50,000 claimer for three-year-olds sprinting six furlongs over the main track. Sounds pretty straightforward, right? Wrong. You can make a case for plenty of contenders, and correctly selecting the top five finishers won’t be easy.

Where do we begin? Certainly morning-line favorite #2 Blue Kentucky (5-2) is a logical player under hot jockey Tyler Gaffalione, a 20% winner this meet. Recently runner-up in a $50,000 claimer sprinting seven furlongs at Keeneland, Blue Kentucky displayed an affinity for Churchill Downs when nabbing a six-furlong allowance over this distance last fall. Sunday’s heat will mark Blue Kentucky’s first start since being claimed by Mike Maker (renowned for his success turning claimers into stakes stars), and sharp recent workouts suggest Blue Kentucky will fire a competitive shot.

But wait—#8 Prayforpeace (3-1) also looks strong. After spending the winter competing on turf, Prayforpeace switched to dirt for a $50,000 starter allowance sprinting 6 1/2 furlongs at Churchill Downs, in which he led all the way to score by three-quarters of a length.

#6 Micky From Wexford (7-2) can’t be dismissed either. Victorious in a six-furlong maiden special weight at Keeneland last fall, Micky From Wexford has since competed twice against tough allowance and allowance optional claiming competition on the Kentucky circuit, finishing third on April 13 at Keeneland and sixth on May 7 at Churchill. Dropping down the class ladder can put Micky From Wexford in the hunt for victory.

Meanwhile, #4 Concept (12-1) is worth considering as a live longshot. Winner of the 2021 Kip Deville S. sprinting six furlongs at Remington Park, this Triple Crown nominee placed third in the Remington Springboard Mile on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and is dropping down in class and distance after a couple of disappointing efforts running long.

The 95 Brisnet Speed rating Concept posted in the Kip Devlle ranks as the highest figure in Sunday’s field, so why don’t we get creative and key Concept on top in the Super High 5? This will allow us to spread deeper underneath while emphasizing Blue Kentucky, Prayforpeace, and Micky From Wexford.

• $1 Super High 5: 4 with 2,6,8 with 2,6,8 with 2,6,8 with ALL ($36)
• $1 Super High 5: 4 with 2,6,8 with 2,6,8 with ALL with 2,6,8 ($36)

Good luck!