Upsets Sweeten the Pot

First post at Hollywood Park today is 1:20 p.m. but for serious bettors, the real racing doesn’t begin until about an hour later.

The first two races are highly forgettable so players will wait for the third, the start of the pick six on weekdays, and their interest will be piqued by what happened Sunday.

Thanks to a string of upsets in Sunday’s last six races, climaxed by Para Usted’s shocker in the finale, a healthy pick six carry-over of $185,118 awaits.

Perhaps, the most logical single would be in what can be considered the sequence’s worst race. Ten $25,000 maidens will run in the fourth at 5 1/2 furlongs and the edge goes to Cedar Key.

Owned and trained by Summer Mayberry, the 3-year-old gray gelding showed speed against better horses in his debut June 15. He drops into a softer spot and may never be caught at this shorter distance.

Race of the day: Recent maiden winners Stanley Park and Conquer The Galaxy and eight other 3-year-olds will race in Hollywood Park’s seventh, a $51,000 optional claimer at one mile on the turf. Also in the field: Briteliteinthenite, a son of Dynaformer making his grass debut; Judge Jason, who will be making his first start for trainer Jeff Mullins; Sweet Return, Flirt With Fortune, Shadow Raider, Menuhin and Six Numbers.

One for the road: Everyday Angel, a 2-year-old daughter of Forestry, is making her debut for high-percentage trainer Patrick Byrne in the fifth at Churchill Downs, a $43,600 maiden race at five furlongs.

Exotically speaking: A trifecta putting Cedar Key on top with Sir Tificate and Bundle This in the No. 2 hole and all in the third spot.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 1/134. Money: Previous day/meet total: $4.40/$720.60. Total money bet: $860.