Churchill Downs: $500,000-guaranteed for Derby Day pick six

Churchill Downs has announced that the guaranteed pools for the $2 pick-six wager for both Kentucky Oaks and Derby Days will be $200,000 and $500,000, respectively, figures that are sure to be met given the immense volume of wagering on both days.

The wagers both officially carry the name of Churchill Downs’ advance-wagering deposit website, TwinSpires.com. There are no guaranteed pools on any other multi-race wagers on either day, including any of the pick fives or pick fours, all available in 50-cent increments.

In some prior years, Churchill has offered a $1 million pool guarantee on the pick four ending with the Kentucky Derby. The Breeders’ Cup regularly offers a $2 million guarantee on the Saturday pick six of its two-day program.

These were some of the wagering pools from last year: Oaks Day pick six, $158,000; pick four ending with Oaks, $920,000; Derby Day pick six (with carryover), $847,000; pick four ending with Derby, $2.3 million.

One of the more notable news items for everyday players is that the minimum for all superfecta wagers on Oaks and Derby days will remain $1 as usual. Churchill offered dime supers during the Breeders’ Cup the last two falls, but officials say to do so this weekend would unnecessarily clog lines here and at offtrack outlets.

Among the other offerings this year are the Oaks-Derby double, the Oaks-Woodford-Derby pick three, and a $1 super high five on both the Oaks and Derby.