Rich pick six pool beckons bettors

ARCADIA, Calif. – Classic Day is Saturday at Pimlico for the Preakness Stakes. Carryover Day is Thursday at Santa Anita, where the pick six begins with a pool of $129,769 and the Super High 5 starts with $27,421.

Both bets proved too difficult to conquer on Sunday, and the carryovers will heighten interest on a weekday program. The pick six pool is likely to exceed $600,000, while the pool of new money in the Super High 5 might surpass $200,000.

The $2 pick six begins with the third race, a maiden special weight for California-bred 2-year-old fillies. The $1 Super High 5 is conducted on the eighth race, a $50,000 claiming race for maidens at a mile on turf.

Here’s a glance at the final six races on Thursday that comprise the pick six.

◗ Race 3: This is the second race for California-bred 2-year-old maiden fillies of the season, and the second- and third-place finishers of the first race April 30 – Esmeralda Belle and Princess Pippa – start in this field.

On Thursday, two first-time starters merit consideration – Faith Pacer, trained by Jeff Bonde, and Heartbreak Honey, trained by Art Sherman. With this as the first leg, bettors have the advantage of checking the win pool to see if any runners attract substantial support.

◗ Race 4: Hawkedon, the winner of a starter allowance April 5 in his first start in 10 months, will attract support in this $40,000 claimer on the hillside turf course but faces three rivals capable of winning with their best efforts – Mistaken Identity, Royal F J, and Sinfully.

◗ Race 5: With six runners, this $14,000 to $16,000 claimer at a mile for fillies and mares who have not won three races has the smallest field of the pick six races. Democracy Rules, who will set the pace, can win her third consecutive start but must hold off the Turf Paradise shipper Garnisheed Wages.

◗ Race 6: Henry’s Holiday, fifth behind eventual Kentucky Derby winner American Pharoah in the Del Mar Futurity last September, will have his first start on turf and his first start of the year in this optional claimer on the hillside. Trained by Doug O’Neill, Henry’s Holiday will race as a gelding for the first time. His main rivals are Diamond Majesty, Eddie’s First, Tosheen, and Formally Wild, who is on the also-eligible list.

◗ Race 7: Queen of the Hill, claimed for $8,000 on April 19, returns in a six-furlong race for the same claiming level, her first start for trainer Peter Miller. She is one of four fillies and mares who were second in their last starts, along with Blue Blizzard, Champion Risk, and Norastone.

◗ Race 8: This $50,000 claimer for maidens at a mile on turf will have a safety limit of eight starters with temporary rails set 30 feet from the normal position. Native Ride, third in a maiden special weight on turf April 17, and Passinaflash, a troubled fifth April 18, lead the field.