Churchill Downs: How to bet the mandatory-payout $6,043 Pick 6 carryover

The Sunday card at Churchill Downs boasts two enticing carryovers: an $18,236 prize pool in the $1 Super High 5, and a $6,043 jackpot in the 20-cent “Derby City 6” Pick 6.

The Derby City 6 is slated for a mandatory payout, so that’s where we’ll focus our attention, assembling a ticket for just under $65.

Here’s a race-by-race look at the sequence, which kicks off at 2:13 p.m. ET:

Race 4: Allowance (5 1/2 furlongs)

Although the entries indicate this race will take place on turf, the Churchill Downs turf course is being given a temporary break, which means this race is being transferred to the main track.

The surface switch is bound to help #9 Little Mombo (4-1), who obliterated a maiden special weight over this track and distance last month by seven lengths. A repeat of her flashy 91 Brisnet Speed rating would make Little Mombo formidable, though #15 Altered Shot (2-1)—victorious in her last two starts over the Churchill Downs main track—can't be dismissed if she draws in off the also-eligible list.

We'll also use #5 Downtown Abby (5-1), beaten just a neck when third over this track and class level last month.

Race 5: $80,000 Allowance Optional Claiming (1 1/16 miles)

#3 The Mary Rose (9-5) has posted blowout victories in three of her last four starts running one mile or farther on dirt, and her lone miss came when finishing fifth behind future Grade 1 winner Pauline’s Pearl in the Houston Ladies Classic (G3). The Mary Rose has excellent tactical speed and brings strong Brisnet Speed ratings to the table, stamping the five-year-old mare as a logical single.

Race 6: Maiden Special Weight (six furlongs)

#3 Seal Beach (7-2) knocked heads with some tough rivals as a juvenile last year, including future stakes winners Epicenter, Rattle N Roll, and Dash Attack. He’s put together a respectable work tab in preparation for his sophomore debut and might catch an easier field this time around, though second-time starter #4 Sea Force (5-1), the consistent #6 Plausible Denile (3-1), and the unraced #7 Thach (6-1) are also worth including.

Race 7: $62,500 Allowance Optional Claiming (six furlongs)

#6 Bagboss (3-1), a gate-to-wire allowance winner over this track and distance last month, is a logical choice to claim top honors under hot jockey Tyler Gaffalione. But #10 Much Better (9-2) nearly wired a six-furlong allowance optional claimer at Oaklawn Park last time out, finishing second by 1 1/4 lengths against multiple stakes winner Greeley and Ben after setting a fast pace. We’ll use these two plus the consistent #1 Escape Route (7-2), runner-up over this class level in a seven-furlong sprint at Keeneland earlier this spring.

Race 8: Matt Winn S. (G3, 1 1/16 miles)

Arkansas Derby (G1) winner #6 Cyberknife (8-5) is dropping in class and distance after finishing 18th in the Kentucky Derby (G1). He’ll be tough to deny at a short price, though Breeders’ Futurity (G1) winner #7 Rattle N Roll (3-1)—compromised by a modest pace and a speed-favoring track when finishing second in a Churchill allowance last month—is an intriguing alternative. The gate-to-wire winner of that heat, #4 Howling Time (2-1), can’t be dismissed either; he’s 3-for-4 at Churchill Downs.

Race 9: $80,000 Allowance Optional Claiming (one mile)

The finale is another turf race switching to dirt. The main-track only entrant #15 Best Actor (2-1) looks like a great fit for high-percentage trainer Brad Cox; the son of Flatter wired a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight at Churchill last month with a promising 90 Brisnet Speed rating. Oaklawn S. third-place finisher #13 Happy Boy Rocket (8-1) is another to include, along with Kitten's Joy S. (G3) runner-up #3 Royal Spirit (5-2), who has the breeding to handle dirt.

• 20-cent Pick 6: 5,9,15 with 3 with 3,4,6,7 with 1,6,10 with 4,6,7 with 3,13,15 ($64.80)

Good luck!