Betting two singles in Mahoning Valley's $256,721 Pick 6 carryover

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The 20-cent Buckeye Pick 6 carryover at Mahoning Valley continues to grow at a rapid rate. The fourth week of March kicks off with more than a quarter-million dollars in the jackpot pool.

To be precise, Monday’s jackpot stands at $256,721 following a sequence of short-priced winners on Saturday. Three favorites, two second choices, and one third choice visited the winner’s circle, triggering consolation payoffs of $78.88 to winning bettors.

Acknowledging the possibility of another modest payoff, we’ll invest just $24 in Monday’s sequence. But along the way, we’ll throw in a couple of longer-priced runners in hopes of cashing a three-figure or even four-figure payday.

Race 3: $5,000 Maiden Claiming (5 1/2 furlongs)

#7 Wicked Ways (8-5) has been running faster than her rivals on the Brisnet Speed ratings scale and hasn’t missed the trifecta in three starts at Mahoning Valley this season. Runner-up over this class level two weeks ago, Wicked Ways has enough tactical speed to work out a forwardly placed trip in a seemingly paceless race. We’ll single her to kick off the Pick 6.

Race 4: $15,000 Maiden Claiming (5 1/2 furlongs)

#2 Powerful Moon (6-5) ships in from Tampa Bay Downs, where she hit the board in a pair of $16,000 maiden claiming races last month. Competing for a $15,000 tag at Mahoning should be right up her alley, though #1 Lady’s Boy (3-1) has posted similar speed figures at Aqueduct and also warrants inclusion.

Race 5: Allowance (six furlongs)

#4 Morestride (9-5) owns the two fastest Brisnet Speed ratings in this field. A pure frontrunner, he’s been freshened since a runner-up effort in the 1 1/16-mile Juvenile S. at Mahoning Valley and should relish the cutback in distance for trainer Penny Rone, who wins at a 20% rate with horses returning from layoffs of 90 days or more. Morestride looks tough to beat at a short price.

Race 6: Allowance (one mile)

Most of these fillies and mares have run fast enough to vie for victory on their best day, so we’ll spread deep with #2 Racinrosemary (6-1), #3 C C My Sis (5-2), #4 Accolades Galore (3-1), #5 Itsallaboutme (5-1), and #7 Stylish Ash (7-2).

Race 7: $15,000 Claiming (six furlongs)

#1A Classic Mo (8-5) faltered when stretching out over one mile on Feb. 22, but two starts back he finished second over this track, distance, and class level, earning a sharp 93 Brisnet Speed rating. He’s a logical play in a deep race, with the speedy #7 Ohio Player (5-2) and the stretch-running #5 Blacktieandtux (8-1) the others worth including.

Race 8: Maiden Special Weight (5 1/2 furlongs)

#11 Awesome Ox (15-1) is consistent and figures to set the pace while adding blinkers, making him an intriguing longshot choice at 15-1. But just in case he has trouble clearing the field from the outside draw, we’ll back him up with #8 Comply (3-1), #9 Commander Chachi (8-1), and #10 Southern Will (7-2).