McGee: Gulfstream Park mandatory payout Rainbow 6 ticket for Sunday, April 19, 2020

As the coronavirus crisis drags on, Gulfstream Park in South Florida is providing a welcome oasis in a worldwide gambling desert by forcing out its Rainbow 6 pool Sunday.

The 20-cent Rainbow spans races 6-11 on an 11-race card that starts at 12:55 p.m. Eastern. The first Rainbow race is scheduled for 3:23.

Something close to $10 million in new offtrack wagers can be expected to pour in. The carryover pool stood at $1,366.160 into Sunday.

This is the first force-out at Gulfstream since March 28, Florida Derby Day, when $9,211,733 was added to a carryover of $1,664,936. Winning 20-cent tickets that day returned $17,848.

The Sunday sequence is comprised mostly of big fields, with three of the races exceeding the 12-horse maximum and the other three consisting of 11, 9, and 8 runners. It’s not an easy sequence, with only one morning-line favorite (Bareeqa, 9-5 in Race 6) listed lower than 2-1.

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The Sunday forecast for Hallandale Beach calls for bright sunshine and a high of 88, so the main track most likely will be fast and turf racing will be conducted over firm-to-good going.

Here follow a suggested ticket (before scratches) and further analysis:

Race 6: 3
Race 7: 4, 9
Race 8: 1, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11
Race 9: 2, 3, 7, 8
Race 10: 4, 7
Race 11: 1, 2, 4, 8, 10
20-cent ticket = $96

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Race 6
Even off her terrific Presidents Day triumph in a $60,000 stakes, BAREEQA (3) might be considered vulnerable because of the nine-week gap since that race – until you realize layoff types are among Danny Gargan’s strengths as a trainer. He’s 17 for 65 (.26 win percentage, $2.44 ROI) in that category, and this mare’s recent work pattern suggests she’s primed for another big try. A few others in here are capable of success at this $25,000 starter-optional level, including Scatnap (5) and Codrington (7), but Bareeqa’s best ought to take this at a fairly short price.

Race 7
Best chances in this open $8,000 claimer begin and end with just two older mares: BROOKES ALL MINE (4), who’s been consistently competitive at this level for several months now, and PUT POSITION (9), who’ll be looking to run her down late. Forget the 6-1 morning line on Put Position, as her 7-for-11 main-track record might even make her the favorite here.

Race 8
This is one of the deeper races of the day and probably merits spreading out, although it’ll be no surprise if Todd Pletcher winds up winning it with one of his favorites. He’s got a capable duo that starts with the tactical MYSTIC LANCELOT (4) and is further bolstered by the comebacking NO WORD (5), who tipped his hand last summer, winning a Saratoga turf route at first asking before going favored in the Grade 3 Pilgrim; he’s been working right along at Palm Beach Downs, as you’d expect. PLEASECALLMEBACK (9) surely needed the race on Florida Derby Day, when he faced the absolute best of the division (i.e., Decorated Invader); he’s one of a handful of viable alternatives on a list that also includes KID MERCURY (1), PATROL (8), and STREET READY (11).

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Race 9
There’s an alarming lack of pace in this optional-starter mile, which makes BLAKEY (7) and Luis Saez a danger. But if a fresh Gran Greyfrost (1) can keep him honest, one of three late swoopers should be able to finish this off, those being IL FARAONE (2), TRAPPEZOID (3), and YES I CAN (8).

Race 10
Remember when Brendan Walsh began the Florida Derby Day force-out by running 1-2 in the Sand Springs with La Signare and Zofelle? Well, Walsh looks very live here with turf fillies SERANITSA (4) and TEMPLE CITY TERROR (7); the former should be sharp and fit after getting plenty of Palm Meadows regrouping, and the latter stands to benefit big-time from her Florida Derby Day return. Beyond the Walsh pair, you couldn’t be blamed for buying further coverage with the likes of All Quality (3), Cariba (6), and/or Bering Strait (8).

Race 11
You’d always prefer to be alive in the final leg with as many horses as possible, but short of buying the race, RENATA (4) and a few more of these maiden fillies might be sufficient; this well-bred gray closed with a flourish in her career debut three Sundays ago and would be formidable with a repeat. Others to close out the ticket are FOLLOW THE FLAG (1), LET THEM EAT CAKE (2), BRIGHT STREET (8), and MAKISUPA (10). If you absolutely have to tack on a few more, why not First in Command (5), Royal Mandate (9), and Sundae Smile (12).