Pimlico: How to bet the mandatory-payout $490,728 Super High 5 carryover

Sunday is closing day of the Pimlico meet, which means the massive $490,728 Super High 5 jackpot carryover is scheduled for mandatory payout. All winning bettors will earn a share of the carryover, no unique winning ticket required.

The $1 wager is available to play in Race 6 (post time 2:54 p.m. ET), a maiden special weight for fillies and mares sprinting five furlongs on turf. A field of 11 has been entered, but two are on the also-eligible list. That includes #10 Circle Home (5-2), the second choice on the morning line.

A stretch-running daughter of Bodemeister, Circle Home placed in a $40,000 maiden claimer sprinting over the Laurel Park turf course last spring and is eligible to fire a competitive shot while returning from a layoff for new trainer Miguel Vera. Horses competing for the first time under Vera’s care win at a lofty 21% rate, but unfortunately Circle Home needs a scratch in order to compete on Sunday.

At least morning line favorite #5 In Her Cups (2-1) is in the main body of the field. She hit the board against maiden special weight competition in a couple of turf sprints on the Maryland circuit last fall, but the five-year-old mare hasn’t run since October and doesn’t necessarily have upside for improvement. A competitive showing seems likely, but her career-best 71 Brisnet Speed rating ranks below the 76 that stands as par for Sunday’s conditions, so victory isn’t guaranteed.

An intriguing alternative is #6 Cut From Class (8-1), who finished fourth when debuting in a seven-furlong maiden special weight over the Charles Town dirt. As a daughter of Blame out of Debbie’s Diamond, previously the dam of turf stakes winners Jumpstartmyheart and Debbie’s Tude, Cut From Class is bred to shine while switching to grass. The tactical speed she showed on debut is also appealing, and the cutback to five furlongs may help her chances.

Also worth respecting are the first-time starters #4 Lenamagnetta (10-1), #7 Little Josie Wales (7-2), and #8 Golden Charm (3-1). Lenamagnetta is a half-sister to a turf stakes winner, while Little Josie Wales and Golden Charm bring fast workouts to the table.

Here’s how we’ll bet the Super High 5:

• $1 Super High 5: 6 with 5 with 4,7,8,10 with 4,7,8,10 with 4,7,8,10 ($24)
• $1 Super High 5: 6 with 4,7,8,10 with 5 with 4,7,8,10 with 4,7,8,10 ($24)
• $1 Super High 5: 4,7,8 with 6 with 5 with 4,7,8,10 with 4,7,8,10 ($18)
  Total: $66

Bonus carryover: Churchill Downs Race 5: $38,903 Pick 6 carryover (2:45 p.m. ET)

The jackpot carryover for the Derby City 6 has climbed to $38,903 in advance of Sunday’s card. The 20-cent Pick 6 wager spans a competitive sequence featuring 54 horses (averaging nine per race) and 491,520 possible outcomes before scratches.

If you’re looking for a single to build tickets around, check out #8 White Frost (2-1) in Race 9, the Mint Julep (G3) for fillies and mares racing 1 1/16 miles on turf. White Frost has been competing with aplomb against tough competition, most recently coming home third in a deep renewal of the Jenny Wiley (G1) at Keeneland. Dropping in class for the Mint Julep can send this versatile five-year-old mare to the winner’s circle.

Good luck!