Singles for Sunday Pick 6 carryovers at Aqueduct, Del Mar, Gulfstream

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson recommends horses to single in a trio of rich Pick 6 carryovers on Sunday at Aqueduct, Gulfstream Park, and Del Mar.

Aqueduct: Race 6: $86,079 Pick 6 mandatory payout (1:52 p.m. ET)

Since Sunday is closing day of Aqueduct’s autumn “Belmont at the Big A” meet, an $86,079 carryover in the $1 Pick 6 is being paid out in mandatory fashion.

The best chance for a single is arguably #2 Fleetfoot (7-2) in Race 7, the 1 3/8-mile Red Smith (G2). Some bettors might assume the distance is too short for Fleetfoot, given that his U.S. debut yielded a nine-length win in the John Forbes Memorial S. racing two miles at Far Hill.

But Fleetfoot has shown fine form over shorter trips in Europe. Two starts back, he finished second in the 1 1/2-mile Kilternan (G3) behind Convergent, who flattered the form by winning the Prix du Conseil de Paris (G2) in his next start. Fleetfoot has also won handicaps racing 1 1/2 miles and 1 9/16 miles, and he was beaten only 8 3/4 lengths when 14th in the 1 3/4-mile Ebor H. behind future Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) winner Ethical Diamond.

Chances are, Fleetfoot will find the competition a bit easier in the Red Smith. He’s a formidable win threat.

Gulfstream Park: Race 6: $111,271 Rainbow Pick 6 mandatory payout (2:34 p.m. ET)

The mandatory payout of a $111,271 carryover in Sunday’s 20-cent Rainbow Pick 6 at Gulfstream Park is expected to draw a final pool of around $1 million.

Planning to play along, but not sure where to begin? We’ve got you covered with a suggested single in Race 11, the final leg of the Pick 6. It’s a $12,500 maiden claimer taking place over one mile and 70 yards on Tapeta. Nine of the 10 entrants have been running in (and losing) maiden claiming races. The only exception is heavy favorite #5 Abuelo (6-5).

Abuelo has competed exclusively against maiden special weight competition. He’s run once over the Gulfstream Tapeta, finishing third in his debut sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs. He’s since competed in four straight turf routes and exits a respectable fourth-place finish against a large field at Kentucky Downs.

Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. wins at a 28% rate with horses dropping from maiden special weight to maiden claiming company, and jockey Micah Husbands (a 31% winner teaming up with Joseph over the last two months) is named to ride, so Abuelo is a compelling single to conclude the Pick 6.

Del Mar: Race 4: $28,807 Pick 6 carryover (5:01 p.m. ET)

The $2 Pick 6 at Del Mar went unsolved last Thursday. The resulting $28,807 carryover is up for grabs on Sunday.

Our best recommendation for a single is #5 Bacio (8-5) in Race 5, an $80,000 allowance optional claimer for juveniles sprinting five furlongs on turf.

Conditioned by Welsey Ward—who has a reputation for excelling with two-year-old sprinters—Bacio has run well in two starts. He debuted on dirt at Monmouth Park, pressing the pace on his way to victory in a five-furlong maiden special weight. Then he switched to turf and carved out a fast pace in Santa Anita’s five-furlong Speakeasy S. before weakening to finish second by half a length.

Those efforts yielded improving Brisnet Speed ratings of 86 and 95. The latter is clearly the highest number belonging to any horse entered in Race 5. Dropping in class might be all Bacio needs to rebound under high-percentage jockey Juan Hernandez.

Good luck!