Shapiro on mandatory payout Single 6 at Churchill Downs

by SCOTT SHAPIRO

Closing Day at the Churchill Downs spring meeting is upon us and that means a mandatory payout in the Single 6 on Saturday afternoon.

After a formful series of results on Thursday and Friday there is a $64,321 carryover and a great opportunity for horseplayers.

Here are my thoughts on the sequence:

Race 7: $100,000 Debutante

I was impressed with the debut effort of #5 Restless Rider. She finished quite well for a barn that does not necessarily crank their runners on first asking. I will count her to make it a perfect 2 for 2 for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Race 8:

I thought this allowance event at one mile over the lawn was the most wide-open race in the sequence. Just about anyone can win it with the right trip, including long shots #4 Sistas Beauty who makes her second start off the near six month layoff for trainer Charles Lopresti and #5 Bella Belle who exits a strong allowance event over this course where she finished a solid fourth for trainer Greg Foley. Use as many as you can afford.

Race 9:

#5 Big Dollar Bill was in tight early and then struggled to find room to run late allowing the eventual winner to get the jump on him on June 2^nd. With a cleaner voyage the son of Midnight Lute should get back to the winners’ circle for trainer Ian Wilkes. He is my top choice, but horses like #1 Casses Story, #2 Phat Man, #3 Hint of Roses and #7 Rocking the Boat will offer better value and are not without a significant chance.

Race 10: $75,000 Kelly’s Landing

This seven-furlong dash over the main track came up strong. The 10-horse field is led by Grade 3 Aristides winner #10 Chief Cicatriz. If this five-year-old gelding can avoid regression off of a career best 105 BRIS speed rating they are running for second place. However, I am not convinced he can replicate that eye-popping performance, so I will also include Churchill Downs Racing Club’s #6 Warrior’s Club, and price options #5 Cool Arrow, #8 Storm Advisory and #9 C Z Rocket.

Race 11: $100,000 Bashford Manor, Grade 3

I like #4 Sir Truebadour most in the feature. The son of More Than Ready won nicely on debut over this racetrack in mid-May and then tried new tactics from off the pace when finishing third in the Tremont at Belmont Park. If he can relax just off the early leaders he should be able to out finish this group.

I will also include #1 Shanghaied Roo. The Bret Calhoun trainee showed professionalism and talent winning his debut effort at Keeneland from just off the early pace. He comes into his first try versus winners off a long series of solid drills over this racetrack. He could be a good one.

Race 12:

I am all in on #4 Hot Zone in the spring meet finale. The daughter of War Front showed strong tactical speed from an outside post to find a nice spot off a two-horse duel on May 4^th, but could not hold off impressive winner Killay in the lane. With the start under her belt in 2018, jockey Adam Beschizza should have enough late this time to get to this Albert Stall, Jr. trainee to the wire first.

Ticket:

Race 7: 5

Race 8: ALL

Race 9: 1+2+3+5+7

Race 10: 5+6+8+9+10

Race 11: 1+4

Race 12: 4

Ticket Cost: $140

Good luck on Closing Day!