Single 6 jackpot pool starts with $385,132 from Derby Day

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Barring the improbable occurrence that there was just one winning Single 6 ticket at Churchill Downs on Thursday, when a betting pool in excess of $1 million was expected for a mandatory payoff that evening, the track will again start anew with Single 6 carryover of $385,132 heading into Friday afternoon’s races.

The Thursday and Friday carryovers are funded by the track’s traditional $2 pick six not being hit on Derby Day. Kentucky rules mandate that the $770,264 carryover be split into halves, with the wagering minimum lowered to 20 cents. The first $385,132 was to be offered as part of a pool with a mandatory payout Thursday. Provided a there is not a solo winning ticket on Thursday requiring a payout of the full carryover, the second half of the carryover was to be used to seed the Single 6 jackpot starting Friday.

Friday’s Single 6 at Churchill will follow the regular rules of the wager, requiring a bettor to have the only winning ticket to sweep the jackpot.

Handle in the Single 6 on Friday figures to be fraction of the bet’s total Thursday. The last time Churchill split carryover funds into a mandatory-payoff day and a traditional Single 6 day with seeded money, in the days following the Derby in 2016, fresh handle went from $1,470,005 with the mandatory-payoff requirement to $153,290 under the traditional format the next day. Carryovers both days were $343,155.

Those that participate in Friday’s Single 6 may choose to adopt a different strategy than implemented Thursday. Tickets focused on high-probability winners alone likely won’t result in a single winning ticket, and likely won’t collect anything more than a consolation payoff.

Below is a race-by-race look at Friday’ Single 6 sequence, which is made up of races 4-9.

Race 4, maiden $10,000 claimer

Chaos gets started right out of the gate with the fourth race, a maiden $10,000 contest that is even more puzzling than usual for a low-end race. Horses are converging from a number of different regions, making comparisons difficult, and the outlook is further clouded by three entrants switching surfaces to race on dirt for the first time.

If one elects to chase the Single 6, going deep in this leg may prove a reasonable strategy. Only frequent rear-half finishers Gran Red (4) and Road Heat (9) seem easily eliminated.

Race 5, $16,000 claimer

Come On Dover (2), Flash Harry (4), and His Royal Majesty (9) are the preferred runners in this $16,000, nonwinners-of-two claimer, though they are not alone in having a chance. Something Bird (3) is mildly appealing if one forgives a poor last-out performance at Keeneland over a wet surface. He also starts for a trainer, Mike Tomlinson, who can light up the toteboard.

Race 6, $10,000 claimer

Although this race goes through the Maggi Moss-owned entry of More On Tap (1) and Under and Over (1A), contention runs deep. Only Tabaddol (2) and Consultation (11) can be easily eliminated from consideration.

Race 7, maiden $30,000 claimer

Although Jan One (1) and Corker (8) hold the most appeal as principal contenders, at least a couple price horses could potentially surprise. They include first-time starter Blank Canvas (2) and On the Come (5), whose form is mildly attractive if a failure in the slop last month at Keeneland is dismissed as not representative.

Race 8, allowance

Originator (6) and Elizabeth Darcy (8) have the established grass credentials in this five-furlong turf dash for first-level allowance runners, and one of the two will likely end up the winner.

If by chance they both have off days, this race suddenly is up for grabs and outsider Almafuerte (7) has a chance. She disappointed at a route in the mud last out at Oaklawn, but earlier efforts sprinting on fast tracks were respectable. How she handles grass is anyone’s guess, but five-eighths should be to her liking.

Race 9, maiden $10,000 claimer

Patti Patti Patti (9) is the in-form runner with a race over the track, and Blues Corner (1) has appeal as a lightly raced class dropper, but they don’t tower above the rest. A number of these are inexperienced or changing surfaces, which could create form reversals.

Sassy Zeeman (3) was soundly beaten in her lone start, running eighth, but has since worked a half-mile in 48.40 seconds – swifter than the norm for a maiden running for a $10,000 tag.