Del Mar: How to bet the mandatory-payout $608,415 Pick 6 carryover

Saturday is shaping up as a big day of racing at Del Mar. The feature event is the Clement L. Hirsch S. (G1), a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1). And oh, by the way, there’s a $608,415 Rainbow Pick 6 carryover slated for mandatory dispersal.

Let’s take a race-by-race look at the six-race sequence and assemble a ticket for around $20:

Race 6: Maiden Special Weight (five furlongs on turf)

A tough turf sprint for California-bred fillies and mares kicks off the sequence. #3 Grazen Touch (7-2) was only beaten 1 1/2 lengths when fifth in a 6 1/2-furlong dash over this class level at Santa Anita two months ago, but she benefited from pressing a modest pace. Stretch-running #10 Airkita (4-1) ran seventh in that heat and may move forward if she gets a quicker pace to chase, and #11 Smiling Molly (8-1) (who drew in from the also-eligible list) may factor after finishing third over this class level in her lone turf start to date.

Race 7: $16,000 Claiming (one mile)

#8 Carnivore (8-5) broke his maiden for a $20,000 claiming tag during the spring at Churchill Downs, then came back to run second in a $40,000 claimer over the same track. Dropping down the class level at Del Mar should make Carnivore difficult to defeat in his first start since being claimed by high-percentage trainer Robertino Diodoro, who wins at a 25% rate with new claiming acquisitions. In short, Carnivore is a logical single.

Race 8: $50,000 Starter Allowance (one mile on turf)

#4 Deise Delight (3-1) recently returned from a long layoff to finish third by half a length in a $50,000 starter optional claimer sprinting 6 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita. She broke her maiden racing one mile and should handle stretching back out in trip under hot jockey Umberto Rispoli. But for good measure, we’ll throw in recent $50,000 maiden claiming winner #5 Sweet and Cheeky (4-1) and the versatile #10 Frazzled (5-1).

Race 9: Clement L. Hirsch S. (G1, 1 1/16 miles)

#5 Shedaresthedevil (8-5) won this race by 3 1/4 lengths last year and recently returned to winning form with a victory in the Fleur de Lis S. (G2) at Churchill Downs. She figures to receive a perfect pace-tracking trip in the Hirsch and looms as a logical favorite to defend her title.

Race 10: California Dreamin’ S. (1 1/16 miles on turf)

We have to respect the chances of #10 The Chosen Vron (7-2), a two-time graded stakes winner descending into the California-bred ranks, although he might be vulnerable while returning from a nine-month layoff and trying turf for the first time. Enticing alternatives include #8 None Above the Law (4-1) and #9 Hockey Dad (5-1), who ran first and third in the Del Mar Derby (G2) over this course last summer. Crystal Water S. winner #2 Carmelita’s Man (5-1) is also worth using.

Race 11: $50,000 Maiden Claiming (5 1/2 furlongs)

#7 Dutch Bus (7-2) looks like the best of the experienced runners after running third in a pair of maiden special weight sprints at Santa Anita. But don’t overlook the first-time starters #2 Rusty B Cause (8-1) and #5 Mourvedre (6-1), whose trainers win at solid percentages with horses debuting in maiden claimers.

• 20-cent Rainbow Pick 6: 3,10,11 with 8 with 4,5,10 with 5 with 2,8,9,10 with 2,5,7 ($21.60)

Good luck!