Fair Grounds: Betting the six-figure Pick 5 wagers on Dec. 26

Ready for an exciting afternoon of post-Christmas racing action? Then you’re advised to check out the stakes-packed Sunday card at Fair Grounds.

There’s a lot to look forward to across the 13-race slate. From a sporting perspective, the highlights are the inaugural editions of the Gun Runner S. and Untapable S., respective steppingstones toward the 2022 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1).

The Gun Runner (Race 11) and Untapable (Race 10) also play roles in the betting highlights of the afternoon. The all-stakes Pick 5 spanning Races 7-11 boasts a guaranteed pool of $100,000. Meanwhile, the Late Pick 5 covering Races 9-13 features a non-jackpot carryover worth $103,893.

Let’s examine the seven races involved in the two Pick 5 sequences, then play them both on a total budget of less than $30:

Race 7: Richard R. Scherer Memorial S. (5 1/2 furlongs, 4:02 p.m. ET)

#5 Just Might (2-1) has won five of his last six starts, all against stakes company. He was particularly sharp in the six-furlong Thanksgiving Classic at Fair Grounds last month, leading all the way to score by 2 1/2 lengths with a 100 Brisnet Speed rating. If Just Might brings his A-game on Sunday, he can sprint to victory as a short-priced single.

Race 8: Tenacious S. (1 1/16 miles, 4:33 p.m. ET)

Two-time Grade 3 winner #5 Shared Sense (5-2) is a logical favorite after running third in the Lukas Classic (G3) behind next-out Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner Knicks Go. But this is a deep field with many potential upset threats: #1 Ebben (12-1), #8 Big Dreaming (5-1), #9 Happy American (10-1), and #10 Chess Chief (10-1) are also worth including.

Race 9: Buddy Diliberto Memorial S. (1 1/16 miles on turf, 5:04 p.m. ET)

A dozen runners will square off in this deeply competitive turf test. We’ll spread deep with #6 Another Mystery (8-1), #7 Cavalry Charge (12-1), #9 Midnight Tea Time (10-1), #10 Spooky Channel (4-1), #11 Pixelate (7-2), and #5 Big Dreaming (8-1) if he scratches from the Tenacious.

Race 10: Untapable S. (one mile and 70 yards, 5:35 p.m. ET)

#5 Cocktail Moments (3-1) smashed her debut sprinting seven furlongs at Churchill Downs, unleashing a terrific rally to win by 9 1/4 lengths. Kenny McPeek trainees typically improve off their debuts, and since Cocktail Moments is already the fastest entrant in terms of Brisnet Speed ratings, we’ll count on her as a single.

Race 11: Gun Runner S. (1 1/16 miles, 6:06 p.m. ET)

#3 Rocket Dawg (3-1) had no difficulty trouncing a next-out winner by 5 1/2 lengths in his debut sprinting seven furlongs at Churchill Downs. The son of Classic Empire is bred to stretch out for high-percentage trainer Brad Cox, who strikes at a 29% rate with horses running long for the first time. Just like Just Might and Cocktail Moments, Rocket Dawg has the appearance of a trustworthy single.

Fair Grounds Pick 5 Ticket

• Race 7, 50-cent Pick 5: 5 with 1, 5, 8, 9, 10 with 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 with 5 with 3 ($15)

Race 12: Maiden Special Weight (six furlongs, 6:37 p.m. ET)

#6 Peaceful Waters (3-1) and #7 Gilded Ruler (7-2) both placed in their debuts against maiden special weight company at Churchill Downs, earning respectable Brisnet Speed ratings. They’re adding Lasix for high-percentage trainers and loom as the runners to beat.

Race 13: Maiden Special Weight (1 1/16 miles, 7:08 p.m. ET)

#6 Cyberknife (5-2) has posted sharp Brisnet Speed ratings while placing in his first two starts sprinting at Churchill Downs. The son of hot young sire Gun Runner is the fastest horse on paper and may improve in his route debut for trainer Brad Cox, but we’ll also include #3 Jeeper (8-1), third behind Rocket Dawg in his debut last month.

Fair Grounds Pick 5 Ticket

• Race 9, 50-cent Pick 5: 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 with 5 with 3 with 6, 7 with 3, 6 ($12)