Gulfstream: Picks and analysis for mandatory-payout Rainbow 6 on Aug. 19, 2023

RACE 5: WATCH THE MUSIC (#3) may be able to get the jump on likely favorite GOOCH GO BRAGH (#6), and if he can shake loose in the opening stages he can steal this. Gooch Go Bragh is clearly the one to beat, coming off an 83 Beyer and a victory over several key rivals in this field; certainly has to be included. (2)

RACE 6: Without the luxury of checking the payoffs in the doubles ending in this race, and thus gauging the live money, and given the fact that those who have run are pretty evenly matched, this is an easy race in which to spread as widely as possible. Throw in five first-time starters, and it seems like a perfect spot to use them all. (9)

RACE 7: FLAG WOMAN (#7) and TRUST ME (#1) are the two main speeds in this sprint, and while Flag Woman gets the call as the top pick due to her versatility, I'll use them both for the purposes of this ticket. If this pair were to hook up in a race-long duel that would certainly work to the advantage of TO THYSELF B TRUE (#3). She may be better going two turns, but she is certainly capable with the right trip and setup. (3)

RACE 8: CASHIER CHECK (#6) is the one to beat on the strength of his Beyers, which are very steady, and they also are the best figures in the field. But KARTANO (#1) has license to improve in his third start off the freshening; all of his five career wins have come on the turf, but that last try on the synthetic strip wasn't bad at all. WIND NINETY NINE (#9) was second in each of his last two starts after returning from the layoff, making him a logical horse to use. (3)

RACE 9: R ADIOS JERSEY (#3) appears to be the main speed in the Sheer Drama Stakes, which is not overrun with early zip. She was game in defeat when last seen, and though she goes a sixteenth longer here she can last if she can get clear in the opening stages. FLAKES (#5) was no match for CHARLIE'S WISH (#6) in the Azalea Stakes, but she endured a more difficult trip. Charlie’s Wish is obviously in very good form, with only a pair of neck losses keeping her from a four-race win streak. CHICK'S SHADOW (#8) posted a career-best Beyer in her latest, and even if it could well be an aberration she merits respect nonetheless. (4)

RACE 10: ROMASHKA (#7) has the best figures in the field and is an upgrade candidate after making up some ground in a race where the speeds held the edge in her latest. ACQUIRED TASTE (#3) also ran well against the race flow in her race two back, and she returned to just miss in a similar spot in her latest. (2)

THE PLAY: 3, 6 / ALL / 1, 3, 7 / 1, 6, 9 / 3, 5, 6, 8 / 3, 7 = $259.20 ticket