Gulfstream Rainbow 6 jackpot nears $3 million
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Gulfstream officials had considered dispersing the Rainbow 6 this coming weekend as the jackpot continues to spiral toward the $3 million mark, but Tim Ritvo of track owner The Stronach Group said Sunday they most likely will just let it ride until one of the final days of the championship meet.
The meet ends April 1, but that’s Easter Sunday, and many horseplayers will not be in action. Ritvo said the mandatory dispersal could be held Florida Derby Day, March 31, but more likely the previous day, March 30, because of time constraints and other problematic factors involved with trying to disperse it on such a huge day as Florida Derby Day.
Into this week, the jackpot stood at $2,483,855. The last mandatory dispersal was held Jan. 28, the day after the Pegasus World Cup, when nearly $20 million was paid out. No solo perfect ticket has emptied the jackpot since.
Always Dreaming rolls along
Always Dreaming, the 2017 Kentucky Derby winner, moved another step closer to his 4-year-old debut when he breezed five furlongs in 1:01.79 last Friday at Palm Beach Downs. It was his fifth workout since late January.
Trainer Todd Pletcher has yet to announce the comeback spot for Always Dreaming, who was soundly defeated in his three races following the Derby.
Curlin’s Approval on brief hiatus
Trainer Happy Alter said his stable star Curlin’s Approval will miss the next local race in her division, the Grade 2 Inside Information on March 17, and will be pointed to a seven-furlong race she won last year, the Grade 2 Princess Rooney on June 30.
“She’s been running hard,” Alter said. “I’m regrouping her a little.”
Alter said he hopes to make the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint on Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs with her.
◗ Tipsy Kitten is the even-money morning-line favorite in the only allowance on an 11-race Thursday card that starts at 12:35 p.m. Eastern. The 4-year-old Kitten’s Joy filly will have Tyler Gaffalione aboard and breaks from post 3 in a field of six fillies and mares in the 10th race, a $56,000 first-level race at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.
The features for the coming weekend at Gulfstream are twin $75,000 turf sprints, the Silks Run and Captiva Island, both on Saturday.
