Two-day pick six new addition to Oaks Day wagering menu

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The vast array of exotic wagers being offered by Churchill Downs on Kentucky Oaks and Derby days has expanded even further with a new two-day pick six made up entirely of Grade 1 races.

The $2-minimum Oaks/Derby pick six comes with a 15 percent takeout, a $250,000 pool guarantee, and a mandatory payout. The bet consists of these races: the La Troienne and Oaks on Friday, followed by the Humana Distaff, Churchill Downs, Old Forester, and Derby on Saturday.

Other longstanding two-day wagers that start with the Friday card are the $1-minimum Oaks-Derby double, which debuted in 1996, and the 50-cent minimum Oaks-Old Forester-Derby pick three, first offered in 2009.

Churchill also is continuing to offer its 20-cent Single 6 on every card, with the carryover provision in effect in case there is no solo winner. The Single 6 sequences will end Friday with the Oaks and Saturday with the Derby.

Among the multitude of vertical and horizontal wagers being offered, the most noteworthy pool guarantees are $1.5 million on the Saturday pick five ending with the Derby, and $1 million for the Bourbon Double linking the Old Forester and the Derby.

Also, as usual on Oaks and Derby days, the minimum increment for superfectas at all wagering outlets is $1, as opposed to 10 cents on other days.

Head-to-head wagers, which were approved earlier this month by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, will not be offered.