Rainbow 6 at Gulfstream features allowance and starter allowance

A $40,000 allowance restricted to Florida-breds and a $28,000 starter allowance going 1 1/2 miles on the turf – both part of the daily Rainbow 6 wager – are the main attractions on a 10-race Thursday card at Gulfstream Park in South Florida.

The 20-cent Rainbow 6 began the five-day week at Gulfstream with an actual jackpot of $579,852, with the track guaranteeing a $900,000 pool Wednesday in case of a solo winning ticket. The guarantee could reach $1 million Thursday, assuming there was no jackpot sweep Wednesday.

The Thursday sequence spans races 5-10, with races 6 and 9 being the nominal features.

Race 6 goes at a one-turn mile on the main track, with Irad Ortiz Jr. getting the mount on Princess Betty, one of the main contenders in a field of seven fillies and mares. Princess Betty will be going turf to dirt in her second start since being claimed off a victory in late October by trainer Ruben Gracida for Rancho Alegre.

Race 9 is scheduled for turf on an afternoon when a 50 percent chance of showers is in the long-range local forecast following more than a week of mostly dry conditions. Assuming it stays on turf as scheduled, Morning Stride should take plenty of beating after winning twice during the summer in similar races for trainer Monica McGoey.

First post is 12:35 p.m. Eastern, with races now being run at their designated post times without the lengthy “drag” that long had been the subject of criticism from horseplayers.