Ellis Park: How to bet the mandatory-payout $161,516 Pick 6 carryover

The Sunday card at Ellis Park brings the mandatory payout of a $161,516 Pick 6 jackpot.

Bettors who select the highest number of winners (presumably six) will earn a share of the carryover, no unique winning ticket required. It’s a lucrative betting opportunity, so let’s analyze the six races (first post time 2:45 p.m. ET) and assemble a ticket:

Race 5: Bashford Manor S. (six furlongs)

#1 Wilson Q (2-1) wired a deep maiden special weight at Churchill Downs, winning by a neck over next-out Tremont S. winner Gold Sweep and next-out maiden winner Works for Me. But he faces a formidable rival in the form of #5 The Wine Steward (3-1), a six-length debut winner against New York-breds at Belmont Park. We’ll use both to start the Pick 6.

Race 6: Maiden Special Weight (seven furlongs)

#10 Mr McGregor (2-1) is the fastest of the experienced runners in terms of Brisnet Speed ratings, but he’s been beaten four times over this class level and could be vulnerable to a first-time starter. The well-bred #7 Arro Smash (8-1) and the promising #1 Mo Fight (8-1), the latter from the barn of hot trainer Norm Casse, are the two first-timers we’ll use. #2 Billy Jack (4-1), placed twice over this class level, also has a shot to factor for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen.

Race 7: Anchorage S. (one mile on turf)

#6 White Frost (8-5) has cracked the trifecta in three straight graded stakes, including a tough edition of the Jenny Wiley (G1). Dropping into a non-graded stakes should send her to the winner’s circle as a short-priced Pick 6 single.

Race 8: Maxfield S. (seven furlongs)

There are several viable contenders in this competitive contest. #11 Squire Creek (7-2) is 2-for-3 and suffered his lone defeat when facing the future Grade 1-placed runner Drew’s Gold. #1 Ryvit (6-1) has won four straight races, including the Chick Lang (G3) and Bachelor S. #2 New York Thunder (9-2) is trying dirt after going unbeaten in three starts on turf and synthetic. #6 Mullikin (4-1) obliterated a maiden special weight at Churchill Downs last month, and #10 Tumbarumba (6-1) has won two straight allowances on the Kentucky circuit. We’ll use all five.

Race 9: Hanshin S. (one mile)

#1 Zozos (9-5) has long shown flashes of talent and enters off a gate-to-wire triumph in the one-mile Knicks Go S. at Churchill Downs. Racing for the hot jockey/trainer duo of Florent Geroux and Brad Cox, Zozos looks like a trustworthy Pick 6 single.

Race 10: Maiden Special Weight (seven furlongs)

#11 Wild Thinker (5-2) hasn’t missed the trifecta in his first three starts sprinting over this class level, and the winners of those three races all returned to win next time out. Wild Thinker has every chance to prevail on Sunday, though #10 Cusp (8-1) can’t be dismissed off a runner-up finish on debut, considering trainer Paulo Lobo wins at a 22% rate with second-time starters. We must also respect #12 Curlin’s Gesture (6-1), a fast-working first-time starter with hot jockey Geroux named to ride, and even the pricey auction acquisition #2 Bramito (5-1) has a chance to challenge on debut for Asmussen.