Pimlico: Analyzing Preakness Day mandatory-payout carryovers

The Preakness (G1) isn’t the only highlight of the Saturday card at Pimlico. Since Saturday is closing day of the meet, a couple of five-figure jackpot carryovers will be dispersed in mandatory fashion, adding value to an already excellent slate of wagering opportunities.

Pimlico $88,459 Rainbow Pick 6 mandatory payout
Pimlico $19,296 Super High 5 mandatory payout

The 20-cent Rainbow Pick 6 gets underway in Race 8 (post time 2:48 p.m. ET) and features an $88,459 carryover, while the $1 Super High 5 available to play in Race 13 (post time 7:01 p.m. ET) boasts a $19,296 prize pool.

Race 13 happens to be the Preakness, in which #2 Journalism (8-5) is hands-down the horse to beat. The Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner endured a rough trip during the first three furlongs of the Kentucky Derby (G1), but nevertheless launched an eye-catching rally on his way to finishing second by 1 1/2 lengths.

With recent Brisnet Speed ratings of 104, 108, and 102 under his belt, Journalism is the fastest horse in the Preakness field. We recommend singling him in the last leg of the Pick 6 and keying him on top in the Super High 5.

Who should Super High 5 bettors use underneath? Definitely #8 Clever Again (5-1), who led all the way to win the one-mile Hot Springs S. by four lengths over Del Mar Futurity (G1) winner Gaming. Clever Again has yet to race farther than one mile, but his pedigree suggests there’s a chance he’ll thrive while stretching out over 1 3/16 miles in the Preakness, stamping this up-and-coming Steve Asmussen trainee as a serious contender.

We’ll take a stand and count on Clever Again to finish second behind Journalism. We’ll also rely on Fountain of Youth (G2) runner-up and Blue Grass (G1) third-place finisher #6 River Thames (9-2) to finish somewhere in the top five. Then we’ll spread deeper for the remaining slots of the Super High 5, emphasizing #1 Goal Oriented (6-1), #3 American Promise (15-1), #7 Sandman (4-1), and #9 Gosger (20-1).

Preakness Stakes mandatory-payout Super High 5 wagers

• $1 Super High 5: 2 with 8 with 6 with 1,3,7,9 with 1,3,4,5,7,9 ($20)
• $1 Super High 5: 2 with 8 with 1,3,7,9 with 6 with 1,3,4,5,7,9 ($20)
• $1 Super High 5: 2 with 8 with 1,3,7,9 with 1,3,4,5,7,9 with 6 ($20)
  Total: $60

Bonus: Churchill Downs $6,556 Super High 5 carryover

If the action at Pimlico isn’t enough, you should check out the Saturday card at Churchill Downs. There’s a $6,556 Super High 5 carryover up for grabs in Race 1 (post time 6:00 p.m. ET), a 5 1/2-furlong grass allowance for fillies and mares.

#6 Mean Eileen (8-1) is an intriguing midrange price horse. The three-year-old filly has shown some ability in dirt sprints and turf routes, but this is her first time tackling a turf sprint. There’s a chance she’ll relish the change in configuration.

Mean Eileen finished a pacesetting fourth in the one-mile Kentucky Downs Juvenile Fillies S. at Kentucky Downs last fall, beaten only 2 1/2 lengths by future Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) runner-up May Day Ready. Cutting back to 5 1/2 furlongs should allow her to finish stronger down the homestretch and vie for victory under internationally acclaimed jockey Frankie Dettori. Don’t leave Mean Eileen off the top of your Super High 5 tickets.

Good luck!