Jackpot 6 ticket seeks to capitalize upon Romans single

The pool for Friday’s mandatory Jackpot 6 payout at Churchill Downs is expected to exceed $1 million and a nice card awaits horseplayers. The sequence begins in Race 5, which is scheduled for 7:57 p.m. (EDT) on the Downs After Dark closing-day program.

Dale Romans is sitting on 699 wins at Churchill Downs and has a few opportunities to reach a milestone tonight. I think Iconic will get it done in the 7^th race for the Louisville, Kentucky native and am singling the colt in my 20-cent Jackpot 6 wager.

Here are my thoughts on the Jackpot 6:

Race 5: If #9 Blabimir falters on the extreme class drop, any of these can win. Must respect the former Doug O’Neill trainee in this spot and Blabimir figures to be sent from the break by leading rider Corey Lanerie, but sophomore is a risky proposition off the lengthy layoff after getting drilled so badly in the last two outings. I’m giving a slight edge to #8 Spicoli, who exits a pair of encouraging efforts over the track and makes his first start for trainer J.R. Caldwell (37% win this meet). Into Mischief colt is eligible to parlay a plum trip from just off the pace into a strong showing.

#6 Datts Our Guy is intriguing on the surface change, recording a good third on dirt versus better three back, and #11 Joey B also brings solid form into the race and fits extremely well at this level. Several of these are stepping up off maiden claiming wins and #2 Fat Daddy is the only one I will use following a visually impressive 5 ½-length score; he’ll be forwardly-placed with Julien Leparoux.

Race 6: The 6-furlong Bashford Manor (G3) features six runners and I will use the pair of superb last-out winners, #5 Copper Bullet and #6 Ten City. Both have the potential to make a major impact in upcoming juvenile stakes on the East Coast.

Race 7: After a solid debut effort at Keeneland, #11 Iconic just missed when trying Churchill’s turf on May 13, rallying to be a clear second behind the very promising Fifth Title, who came back to defeat turf allowance rivals on the Stephen Foster undercard.

Iconic was well-meant in his last outing, being bet down to 8-5 favoritism on June 2, but the gray colt wasn’t prepared for the break and walked out of the gate, leaving himself too much to do from off the pace. He’s recorded a pair of swift works in the 28-day interim and Robby Albarado picks up the mount. Iconic will prove best if he breaks better here.

Race 8: The 6-furlong Debutante attracted 13 juvenile fillies and I’m playing the projected speed at an expected price, #3 Upset Brewing.

The comment line (“Cleared; just missed”) does her no justice as the Buff Bradley trainee broke a step slowly in her debut, spotting rivals at least a couple of lengths after getting off last among nine rivals and she sped forward with brilliant speed from the far outside to get clear heading into the turn of the 4 ½-furlong test. Bradley’s runners often move forward in the second outing and the bay filly shows a 5-furlong bullet work in preparation. And freshman sire Justin Phillip is proving to real deal, with the potential to produce many stakes winners as his many of his runners have already displayed an abundance of talent. I think Upset Brewing gets clear with a better break today and will be playing her to steal the race on the front end.

Impressive last-out maiden winners #1 Sunny Skies and #6 She’s a Julie will also be used on the Jackpot 6 ticket.

Race 9: #7 Drop Dead Red steps up in razor-sharp form for Tom Amoss and catches an allowance field lacking confirmed front-runners. She’s got a chance to lead wire-to-wire again. #1 Anythingyoucando and #4 Annathela are eligible to make a serious impact if the speed falters.

Race 10: In the 7-furlong Kelly’s Landing, #4 Limousine Liberal is the one to beat for Ben Colebrook and should be odds-on following a pair of stakes wins over the track. However, he lost his first 10 stakes attempts (including several as the favorite) and I’m leery to support with confidence at an extremely short price. #3 The Player concluded 2016 with a strong performance in his stakes debut and appears to be training forwardly for his return over a Churchill strip he relishes. Bradley wins at 17% clip off extended layoff and 4-year-old colt could really emerge this summer/fall. #1 Wabel (15-1 morning line) has recorded excellent BRIS Speed and Late Pace numbers in recent starts and also likes Churchill (5-2-1-0). He was bet down to 3-1 in last year’s Kelly’s Landing and could outrun expected long odds.

20-cent Jackpot 6 Ticket (Races 5-10)

2,6,8,9,11 with 5,6 with 11 with 1,3,6 with 1,4,7 with 1,3,4 ($54)

Good luck!

Kellie Reilly has compiled pedigree notes for Friday's juvenile stakes, the Bashford Manor (G3) and Debutante