First-timer may be key in $1.9 million Rainbow 6 carryover

The Rainbow 6 at Gulfstream Park is building, and going into Wednesday’s eight-race card there is a $1,977,432 carryover.

One of the more interesting races in the sequence, which begins on race 3, is a $50,000 maiden-claiming race for 2-year-olds. The 4 1/2-furlong dash drew seven horses and goes as the fifth race.

Flaming Hot has the breeding to win early and has strong human connections in his corner with trainer Kathleen O’Connell and jockey Edgard Zayas.

O’Connell is winning races at a 20 percent clip at the meet, and the past five years she has a 20 percent strike rate with 2-year-olds debuting in maiden-claiming races.

Zayas is the leading rider with 55 wins at the meet, 12 clear of second-leading rider Emisael Jaramillo.

If Flaming Hot takes after his sire, Khozan, he is going to be fast and precocious. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Khozan received a 102 Beyer Speed Figure for his debut win in a maiden special weight at Gulfstream on Jan. 24, 2015. He also won an optional claimer about a month later.

Those were his only starts.

With two of his first 10 starters winning first out, it appears Khozan is passing on his speed and early maturity.

Flaming Hot’s dam, Arealhotlover, won a couple of races as a juvenile, including the $90,000 Cassidy at Calder.

Arealhotlover has been a hot producer. All five of her foals to race are winners, and they all won as babies. Uncle Vinny and Legal Laura are the best in the family. Uncle Vinny won his debut at Belmont and the Grade 3 Sanford via disqualification at Saratoga. Legal Laura won her second start at Calder and the 2015 Sunshine Millions Distaff Preview.

The breeding is there, the works suggest he can run a bit, and with strong connections in his corner, small players could consider singling Flaming Hot and spreading in other legs of the sequence.

Another possible, and probably safer, single is Granny’s Kitten in race 6, a $10,000 claiming race at 1 1/16 miles on turf that drew nine horses. Granny’s Kitten will break from the outside post with Zayas riding.

With Zayas aboard, Granny’s Kitten just missed to next-out winner It’s A New Year in a $12,500 claiming race on May 10. The Mike Maker-trained Granny’s Kitten chased It’s A New Year the whole way, but couldn’t get past him and lost by a neck in the 1 1/16-mile race on firm turf.

A similar effort makes him a winner Wednesday.