Hanson: Playing Pimlico's Rainbow 6 mandatory payout

Memorial Day marks the closing day of the brief 2018 Pimlico meet, and aside from Justify's thrilling win through the fog in the Preakness (G1) last weekend, it's been a spell of racing negatively affected by weather. More than half a foot of rain fell Preakness week, and a flash storm on Sunday wiped out the latter half of the card. The turf course, which was completely renovated within the past couple of years, has been useable only sporadically and is totally out of commission for the final day.

The good news for horseplayers is that there are mandatory payouts in such wagers as the Rainbow 6 and Late Pick 5 on Monday, with the Rainbow 6 carryover presently at $279,837. It's worth getting involved, especially with a 20-cent minimum. Here's how I'm playing the sequence.

Race 4

#6 ARTY'SBOURBONGIRL takes a much needed drop in class from Charles Town/Penn National allowance company after repeated losses. Won more than a third of her starts last season, including an open $6,250 claimer at Gulfstream Park West. #8 CRYSTAL PIER met with a little difficulty late on the turf last time, but looms as major threat returning to dirt and with Vargas, who knows the mare well, returning to the saddle.

Race 5

Looks like only one true tossout in this six-horse starter allowance. We'll use the other five: #1 DOROTHYFROMDUBLIN, #3 BANANA ANNA, #4 BAD NANA, #5 LADY TERP, and #6 EXPECT INDY.

Race 6

#6 DAY OF RECKONING figures to be a single on a lot of tickets in this soft field having placed in his last two.

Race 7

#7 SWIRRLIE SHIRLIE is the filly to beat after showing speed and holding third in her debut at this level. #5 ORENDA was off poorly against maiden special weight foes and perhaps can show improvement here. #2 G'S WARRIOR hails from the Robb barn, which is three-for-eight this meet. Two of those winners have been with Perez aboard.

Race 8

#1A MAGICAL exits a strong maiden win in her second start and doesn't catch the deepest N1X allowance field in her first try against winners. #6 MUNIFICENT has handled wet ground fairly well in several tries and Karamanos fits this filly.

Race 9

#1 ZEN'S LAND has sufficient back class and figures to sharper second time off the layoff, but recent deep closing tactics a potential concern. #9 WHATSTHEQUESTION couldn't be coming in any sharper. Back in fine fettle since returning to Kreiser barn. Has placed in seven of eight on wet ground.

Here's the 20-cent ticket:

6,8 with 1,3,4,5,6 with 6 with 2,5,7 with 1,6 with 1,9 = $24.

(Vance Hanson photo)