Rainbow Heir ends race career with Turf Sprint triumph

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Rainbow Heir closed his long and successful career Saturday with one of his most impressive performances yet, rallying to a convincing two-length victory over longshot Oak Bluffs in the $175,000 Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint.

Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint runner-up Richard’s Boy finished third.

Rainbow Heir is now off to the breeding shed after winning for the 14th time in 31 lifetime starts for his owner-breeder New Farm. The New Jersey-bred son of Wildcat Heir began his career in 2013 with trainer Ben Perkins Jr. Jason Servis succeeded Perkins three years later. Rainbow Heir retires with lifetime earnings of more than $836,000.

Rainbow Heir was turning back in distance for the five-furlong Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint off a victory going six furlongs in Aqueduct’s Turf Sprint Handicap on Nov. 25. With Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard, Rainbow Heir settled about eight lengths behind embattled leaders Successful Native and Pay the Price, finished full of run down the center of the course in company with Richard’s Boy before drawing well clear at the end.

Oak Bluffs rallied near the inside to finish second, a neck in front of Richard’s Boy. Successful Native, who emerged from a pace duel with a clear advantage after a half, stopped suddenly and pulled up with a non-life threatening soft tissue injury.

Rainbow Heir covered the distance over a firm course in 55.47 and paid $8.60.

“I was a little worried when he was that far back, that he might not fire,” Servis said. “He is getting up there in years. I sure wish he didn’t have to go (to the breeding shed). I think he’s a Breeders’ Cup horse.”

Rainbow Heir’s victory was some solace for Servis, whose Blue Bahia appeared on the way to certain victory earlier in the day before stumbling suddenly while moving to the lead nearing midstretch of the Ladies Turf Sprint.

“I’ve never been beaten like that before,” said Servis, referring to the Ladies Turf Sprint. “She looked loaded at the point when she stumbled. At first, I thought she got hurt real bad. So I ran back to the barn and fortunately she’s fine, she cooled out well.”