Fresno: A horse to key in the mandatory-payout Pick 6 and Super High 5

On the California fair circuit, jackpot Pick 6 and Super High 5 carryovers travel from track to track as the racing season progresses. But all jackpot carryovers must eventually be dispersed, and Sunday’s closing-day card at Fresno is a mandatory payout day.

The 20-cent Gold Rush Pick 6 kicks off in Race 4 (post time 5:50 p.m. ET) with a $16,806 carryover up for grabs. The 20-cent Gold Strike Super High 5 boasts a slightly larger $19,905 prize pool and is available to play in Race 9 (post time 8:24 p.m. ET).

Since Race 9 is also the closing leg of the Pick 6, bettors keen to chase both carryovers are advised to give Race 9 a close look. Fortunately, it’s a compelling event: the $75,000 Bull Dog S. taking place over 1 1/8 miles on dirt.

A field of 10 has been entered, which means the Super High 5 has 30,240 possible outcomes. We can cut that down to 3,024 (and simultaneously simplify the Pick 6) if we recognize #10 Bold Endeavor (5-1) as a standout runner to build tickets around.

Bold Endeavor has been in strong form for trainer Mark Glatt. The six-year-old gelding has been competing on the Southern California circuit, running second by a head in a $32,000 claimer racing one mile at Del Mar before coming home third in an $80,000 allowance optional claimer over the same track and distance. These efforts produced solid Brisnet Speed ratings of 94 and 95, among the best recent figures posted by any of the Bull Dog entrants.

Bold Endeavor is versatile in terms of running style and figures to handle 1 1/8 miles just fine; he’s won over this trip in the past and ran second in a $62,500 allowance optional claimer racing 1 1/4 miles at Santa Anita last year, beaten only by future graded stakes winner Heywoods Beach. Throw in hot jockey Frank Alvarado (3-for-9, 33% at Fresno this meet), and Bold Endeavor looks ready to claim top honors at a nice price. We recommend singling him in the Pick 6 and keying him on top in the Super High 5.

Good luck!