Rainbow 6 likely won't be forced out until Sept. 29
Gulfstream Park officials have made no plans for a mandatory disbursement of another growing Rainbow 6 jackpot, saying they probably will wait until the last day of the current summer meet, Sept. 29, for a so-called “force-out.”
The Rainbow 6 has not been emptied by a solo winning ticket since July 6, a span of 26 racing days. Heading into a 10-race card Thursday, the pool stands at $763,478.
Track spokesman Dave Joseph left open the possibility of an earlier forceout date being announced prior to the end of the three-month summer meet but said it is “likely” the next forceout will wait until closing day.
The Thursday program ends with the lone allowance of the day, a $47,000, first-level allowance at a mile on turf. First post is 1:15 p.m. Eastern, with the 20-cent Rainbow 6 spanning races 5-10. The nominal feature goes at 5:52 p.m.
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The weekend highlight at the South Florida track is the $100,000 Benny the Bull on Saturday. Ice Tea, unbeaten in three starts this year since returning from a lengthy layoff for trainer Mary Eppler, figures as a solid favorite in the seven-furlong race restricted to Florida-breds. Entries were to be drawn Wednesday.
Grand Journey stays hot
Grand Journey continued his ascent into the upper echelon of local grass horses by winning the Sunday feature, a $43,280 allowance at a mile over firm going.
Grand Journey, a 4-year-old Giant’s Causeway gelding bred and owned by the Whisper Hill Farm of Mandy Pope, prevailed by a neck over multiple stakes winner Galleon Mast and now is 6 for 8 over turf. He began his career last August in the maiden-claiming ranks.
“It was a journey to get here,” trainer Ralph Nicks said. “He’s putting it all together and is becoming more professional.”
Chance It back on tab
Chance It returned to the Gulfstream work tab Sunday when posting a bullet half-mile work in 46.85 seconds in preparation for the next leg in the colt-and-gelding division of the Florida Sire Stakes series, the $200,000 Affirmed on Aug. 31.
Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. was pleased with the solo work and said everything remains on target for the seven-furlong Affirmed. Chance It earned back-to-back 91 Beyer Speed Figures in winning a June maiden race and the opening leg of the Florida Sire series, the Aug. 3 Dr. Fager.
He’s a maiden no more
Finally, mercifully, the 5-year-old gelding Nation U S A is a winner. After remaining a maiden through his first 51 starts, the Maryland-bred rallied to take a $10,000 maiden-claiming sprint Saturday at Gulfstream, paying $25 with a 1 1/4-length triumph under Dick Cardenas.
Nation U S A has raced exclusively in Florida, having begun his career Feb. 4, 2017, at Tampa Bay Downs. He has undergone seven trainer changes during his 2 1/2 years of racing and is currently conditioned by Johnathon Feron.
◗ With the three-month summer meet having reached its midway point, Antonio Sano leads the trainer standings with 17 wins, while Edgard Zayas leads all jockeys with 40 wins.