Rainbow Heir romps in off-the-turf Wolf Hill

Rainbow Heir began his 6-year-old season with a vengeance at Monmouth Park on Sunday, winning the off-the-turf Wolf Hill Stakes by 7 3/4 lengths while never being asked to exert himself.

Rainbow Heir moved up to take a clear early lead in the 5 1/2-furlong Wolf Hill under jockey Anthony Gallardo, increased his advantage on the far turn while in hand, and then continued to move away from the field in the stretch with Gallardo sitting still for much of the final furlong.

Rainbow Heir paid $6 as the second choice in the five-horse field. He set fractions of 21.87 seconds, 44.42, and 56.34 en route to a final time of 1:02.72 over the fast track.

"He went very fast but he did it like a gallop," Gallardo said. "I never asked for anything."

Gallardo is now 5 for 11 in stakes at the Monmouth meet.

Owned by the New Farm of Ebby Novak, Rainbow Heir was making his debut for trainer Jason Servis, who won three races at Monmouth on Sunday. Rainbow Heir, a New Jersey-bred by Wildcat Heir, had previously won 8 of 19 starts and $388,000 for trainer Ben Perkins Jr.

After the race, Servis said he had been looking forward to running Rainbow Heir on turf, "but a win is a win." If Rainbow Heir had done well on turf, Servis said he had been considering the Grade 3 Turf Monster at Parx and the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita as possible upcoming races.

Saratoga Dreamer was sent off the 4-5 favorite in the Wolf Hill. He chased Rainbow Heir to the stretch, then flattened out and finished third.

Beantown Saint, who was last early, rallied to finish second by 3 1/4 lengths over Saratoga Dreamer. Beantown Saint, trained by John Servis, was making his first start since February and could be a horse to watch in his next start.