Sunday picks: Carryovers at Churchill, Gulfstream, Belmont

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares horses to bet in a trio of Sunday carryovers at Churchill Downs, Gulfstream Park, and Belmont Park.

Churchill Downs: Race 1: $8,011 Super High 5 carryover (12:45 p.m. ET)

The opening race at Churchill Downs features an $8,011 carryover in the $1 Super High 5.

Race 1 is a $30,000 maiden claimer for two-year-old fillies sprinting 6 1/2 furlongs over the main track. A dozen horses have entered, and we view #11 Denial (10-1) as a live longshot worth using in Super High 5 tickets, including on top.

Denial debuted in a 6 1/2-furlong allowance on turf at Kentucky Downs. She never factored while finishing ninth, but the 68 Brisnet Speed rating she earned stacks up well against Sunday’s field.

Trainer Brittany Vanden Berg wins at a 24% rate with horses switching from turf to dirt, at a 27% rate with second-time starters, and at a 30% rate with horses tackling the maiden claiming ranks for the first time. These stats suggest Denial has a big chance to challenge for victory in Race 1.

Gulfstream Park: Race 4: $18,001 Pick 6 mandatory payout (2:00 p.m. ET)

The Sunday card at Gulfstream is highlighted by the mandatory payout of an $18,001 carryover in the 20-cent Rainbow Pick 6.

If you’re looking for a single to build tickets around, we have a slightly creative choice to recommend: #6 Pan Pan (5-2) in Race 4, a $50,000 maiden optional claimer for fillies and mares sprinting 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt.

Morning-line favorite #3 Lady Rockula (9-5) fits well against this field while dropping in class off back-to-back runner-up finishes in maiden special weights at Gulfstream, but her 12-0-4-3 lifetime record suggests she has a tendency to settle for minor awards.

Pan Pan has likewise accumulated numerous defeats (eight overall), but she’s only raced twice on dirt, both times against tougher competition at Saratoga. Dropping in class may trigger a breakthrough victory from Pan Pan, who has been freshened since April by trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., who wins at a 22% rate with horses returning from layoffs of 90 days or more.

Belmont Park: Race 4: $71,365 Pick 6 carryover (2:57 p.m. ET)

The first carryover in the $1 Pick 6 at the newly reopened Belmont Park is a big one worth $71,365.

The feature event in the sequence is Race 8, the Forever Together S. for fillies and mares racing 1 1/16 miles on turf. #7 Dynamic Pricing (5-2) is a logical contender while dropping in class off a fifth-place finish in the Diana (G1), but she’s riding a four-race losing streak and doesn’t look unbeatable.

In addition to Dynamic Pricing, we’ll use #4 Destino d’Oro (2-1), who opened 2026 with late-running triumphs in the Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G2) and Hillsborough (G2). She hasn’t raced since March, but quick workouts should have her fit for a competitive comeback. Take note, trainer Brad Cox wins at a 28% rate with horses returning from layoffs of 90 days or more.

Good luck!