Churchill Downs: How to bet the $241,646 Pick 5 carryover

There were several major upsets on Saturday at Churchill Downs, which is why there’s a massive $241,646 Late Pick 5 carryover up for grabs during Sunday’s card.

Sunday’s Late Pick 5 sequence features two stakes and looks highly competitive. Let’s analyze the Pick 5 in race-by-race fashion and assemble a ticket:

Race 5: Leslie’s Lady S. (seven furlongs on dirt)

#1 Eclatant (3-1) completely misfired in the Eight Belles (G2) last time out, finishing ninth. But her previous form, including a win in the seven-furlong Forward Gal (G3), was excellent. We’re anticipating a rebound, but we’ll also use #5 Vodka With a Twist (5-1), last year’s Del Mar Debutante (G1) runner-up who is cutting back in distance after placing in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) and two other graded stakes around two turns.

Race 6: Allowance (5 1/2 furlongs on turf)

Unfortunately, some of the best horses entered in this turf sprint are on the also-eligible list. For the moment, we’ll spread deep with #3 Mighty Eriu (4-1), #6 Dala (6-1), #12 Sweet Kaufy (9-2), #14 Mae Town (3-1), and #15 Perfect Figure (9-2) and expect scratches to reduce the size (and cost) of our ticket.

Race 7: $80,000 Claiming (six furlongs on dirt)

#2 Side Eye (4-1) is our top choice; his lone dirt start yielded a quick 3 1/4-length win in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight at Saratoga last summer. But #3 Chance (3-1) and #8 Silver Halo (8-1) are also quick enough to win this sprint on their best day.

Race 8: Matt Winn (G3, 1 1/16 miles on dirt)

With #1 Gaming (5-1) slated to scratch, Blue Grass (G1) runner-up #7 East Avenue (4-1) looms as the lone speed horse while dropping in class off an eighth-place finish in the Kentucky Derby (G1). But Blue Grass winner #5 Burnham Square (7-2) has a shot to chase him down, and four-time stakes winner #6 Coal Battle (9-2) is a good fit for this 1 1/16-mile distance. 

Race 9: $80,000 Allowance Optional Claiming (1 3/8 miles on turf)

There isn’t much speed in this large field, so #6 British Isles (3-1)—who employed pace-tracking tactics to win a 1 1/2-mile grass allowance at Keeneland last time out—is a serious win threat. #5 American Hope (5-2) and #12 Oscar Season (7-2) are dangers from off the pace, and #9 Mena (20-1) is a compelling longshot while stretching out in distance and trying turf for the first time.

Pick 5 Wager

• 50-cent Pick 5: 1,5 with 3,6,12,14,15 with 2,3,8 with 5,6,7 with 5,6,9,12 ($180)

Good luck!