Sunday picks: Gulfstream, Aqueduct, and Santa Anita Pick 6 carryovers

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares horses to single in a trio of Pick 6 carryovers on Sunday at Gulfstream Park, Aqueduct, and Santa Anita.

Gulfstream Park, Race 4: $244,230 Pick 6 mandatory payout (2:29 p.m. ET)

The highlight of the Gulfstream card is the mandatory payout of a $244,230 carryover in the 20-cent Rainbow Pick 6. The final pool is estimated to reach $3 million.

The closing leg of the sequence looks like the best place to seek a single. Race 9 is a $17,500 maiden claimer for three-year-olds racing one mile on turf. Most of the entrants have been beaten over this class level or easier, but #8 El Muheet (7-5) is a notable exception.

El Muheet has competed four times against tougher competition, earning Brisnet Speed ratings of 73, 78, 78, and 73. His first three starts came in maiden special weights, including a third-place finish at Fair Grounds. Most recently he finished third by half a length in a $50,000 maiden optional claimer at Fair Grounds.

Now El Muheet is dropping in class and making his first start for trainer Jose D’Angelo, a 22% winner with horses running for the first time under his care. None of El Muheet’s Sunday rivals have earned a Brisnet Speed rating higher than 74, so a typical performance should send this son of War Front to the winner’s circle.

Aqueduct, Race 5: $39,250 Pick 6 carryover (2:59 p.m. ET)

The $1 Pick 6 at Aqueduct features an enticing $39,250 prize pool, and you can find a viable single right off the bat in Race 5, a $75,000 allowance optional claimer taking place over one mile on dirt.

#5 General Partner (7-5) has shown flashes of serious talent. He’s earned triple-digit Brisnet Speed ratings in three of his six starts and finished second in the 2023 Champagne (G1) racing one mile at Aqueduct. He also trounced a one-mile allowance at Saratoga last June by five lengths.

General Partner ran below his best when ending a 10-month layoff in a seven-furlong $62,500 allowance optional claimer at Aqueduct, finishing third. But even in defeat he earned a 95 Brisnet Speed rating, and since trainer Chad Brown wins at a lofty 29% rate with horses running back for the second time following a layoff, General Partner is a compelling choice to Sunday’s Pick 6 opener.

Santa Anita, Race 5: $77,347 Pick 6 carryover (6:08 p.m. ET)

Planning to pursue the $77,347 carryover in the $2 Pick 6 at Santa Anita, but not sure where to begin? Try singling #1 Judge Miller (5-2) in Race 9, an $80,000 allowance optional claimer.

Judge Miller looks like a nice fit for this 6 1/2-furlong dirt dash. While he ran well running long in graded stakes last year, finishing second in the 1 1/8-mile Californian (G3) and 1 1/4-mile Hollywood Gold Cup (G2), he’s also effective over shorter trips. He broke his maiden in a seven-furlong maiden special weight and trounced a one-mile $50,000 allowance optional claimer.

Judge Miller has been freshened since last May, but the layoff shouldn’t be an issue since trainer Mark Glatt wins at a 21% rate with horses returning from layoffs of 90 days or more. Under jockey Antonio Fresu (a 26% winner teaming up with Glatt over the last two months), Judge Miller is a logical win choice on the class drop.

Good luck!