Churchill Downs: Single 6 jackpot climbs to $154,724 for Nov. 21

Churchill Downs heads into the weekend with a $154,724 carryover in the Single 6, an enticing prize for Saturday horseplayers to pursue.

Think you have what it takes to construct the only winning ticket on the day? Then the entire jackpot pool can be yours. But even if you’re joined at the (virtual) payoff window by a few other successful bettors, the payoff should still be satisfactory. That’s the beauty of Churchill’s jackpot-style Pick 6 wager.

Friday recap

It’s safe to say favorites and short-priced runners were dominant on Friday at Churchill Downs. All six winners in the Single 6 sequence started at 5-2 or less, including a quartet of favorites ranging in price from 1-2 to 2-1. Betting the top two favorites in each leg would have cost $12.80 for a payoff of $431.22—not a life-changing score, but still 10 times better than the $45.76 generated by a theoretical $2 win parlay!

Saturday insights

It’s always satisfying when you can start the Single 6 with—well—a single, and Saturday’s sequence provides just such an opportunity. #2 Cane Creek Road (9-5) looks like an obvious choice to win Race 5, a $40,000 maiden claiming race for 2-year-olds sprinting 6 1/2 furlongs.

Cane Creek Road flashed potential in a $150,000 maiden claiming sprint at Keeneland last month, dueling for the lead before weakening in the final furlong to finish sixth. This effort produced a field-best 74 Brisnet Speed rating, so dropping in class should land Cane Creek Road in the winner’s circle for trainer Brad Cox, who strikes at a 27% rate with second-time starters.

The feature event of the day is Race 9, the $100,000 Chilukki (G3) for fillies and mares. Four-time stakes winner #2 Finite (8-5) is 2-for-2 at Churchill Downs and a logical candidate to vie for victory, though the accomplished 3-year-old is stepping up against older rivals for the first time and can’t be considered a shoo-in to prevail. #3 Grand Cru Classe (5-2), #4 Whoa Nellie (4-1), and #6 Risky Mandate (5-1) are others to consider in this competitive heat. I’m particularly keen to support the front-running speed of Risky Mandate.

The Single 6 wraps up with Race 10, a $10,000 claiming event with 11 runners in the mix. #4 New Eagle (3-1) and #11 Smirk (4-1) have held their own against similar company for hot connections and loom as logical favorites. But don’t overlook the stakes-placed 3-year-old #8 Blanket of Roses (6-1), who drops in class and switches to turf off a series of average efforts on turf. Trainer Mike Maker and jockey Ricardo Santana have been striking at a 32% rate together, so count out Blanket of Roses at your own risk.

Good luck!