Mandatory Payout ticket for Indiana Grand

Indiana Grand Racing (Jamie Linscott/Indiana Grand)

Closing day at Indiana Grand is Thursday and with it comes a mandatory payout of the 20-cent Pick 6. The carryover pool is currently in excess of $140,000 for the challenging sequence that involves Races 5-through-10.

Here is how I will attack it:

Race 5 -- Optional Claiming

A one-mile turf affair for fillies and mares kicks things off. I will use four in the opening leg, which could see a fast pace and the winner closing from off the early tempo. #12 Sour Peach (7-2) is my top play, but she is hard to single in a competitive race from the outer post slot.

I will also add #4 Air Turbulence (8-1), #6 Over the Blues (5-1), and #7 Discreet Kitty (12-1).

Race 6 -- Optional Claiming

Fillies and mares will sprint six panels with a baker’s dozen in the mix. I love the claim of #3 West Bank Baby (5-2) and expect her to roll in her first for Tom Amoss. Candy Ride 3-year-old is in very good current form and is eligible to improve on the barn change, as well. Deshawn Parker will guide my single of the sequence.

Race 7 -- Optional Claiming

A dozen sprinters will vie in the 6-furlong test, led by #4 Boyfriend Material (7-5). Garcia trainee has run off to four wins in succession on the surface, and he drops in class third off the claim, as well. While I would normally be suspicious of dropping a horse in lifetime form, it makes some sense that the connections would do so on closing day.

#2 Flowerpecker (10-1) can be quite good on his best day, while #11 Shakes Creek (20-1) earned a career-topping 101 Brisnet Speed number on the surface in June. It’s three-deep for me.

Race 8 -- Allowance

Route race on the main oval for fillies and mares has an overflow field of 13 set to go postward. I will put my faith in a pair of recent maiden winners, #10 Bumble of Love (4-1) and #11 Shy Money (5-2).

Race 9 -- Maiden Claiming

A 5 1/2-furlong dash for juveniles drew a sizable field of 12 in a tough handicapping assignment. #2 Valiant Vinny (9-5) will potentially be odds-on and a popular single for Rivelli on the class drop. Speedy son of Maclean’s Music could lead at every call.

I will spread a bit deeper with #5 Mr. Jimenez (30-1), Steve Asmussen’s #6 Poacher (6-1), class plunger #7 Got it All (15-1), and #10 Gold Buckle (15-1). Knocking off the favorite could boost the potential return of the wager in a lucrative way.

Race 10 -- Allowance

The finale attracted 11 state-bred runners going a route of ground on the dirt. #10 Cash Logistics (7-5) is the one to beat and will be a single on many tickets. The sophomore has been first or second in four stakes tries in his lifetime and looms large with his best.

But, the morning-line choice faces his elders for the initial time and is no sure thing to close it out. I will also include #5 Empire’s Score (4-1), who was last seen driving home an impressive sprint winner on the course.