Redland Rebels could be single in mandatory-payout Rainbow 6
:quality(75))
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Redland Rebels was briefly on the Kentucky Derby trail earlier this season, a dream that ended following a sixth-place finish in the Arkansas Derby. After that race, trainer Patrick Biancone turned his attention to the grass with the promising 3-year-old who figures to be heavily favored Sunday at Gulfstream Park in a $54,000 allowance and optional-claiming feature to be decided at 1 1/16 miles.
The main event will serve as the finale on a nine-race program and is the anchor leg of a Rainbow 6 sequence that features a mandatory payout Sunday. The carryover will be minimal, with the popular gimmick having been hit for $90,945 on Oct. 3.
Redland Rebels showed early promise on grass. He won his turf debut by nearly seven lengths in his second career start during the summer of his 2-year-old season before launching his 3-year-old campaign finishing second, beaten a neck by Thousandsticks, in the Kitten’s Joy Stakes.
“We always knew he was a grass horse, but after he ran second in the stakes we wanted to see if he could compete at a high level on the dirt,” Biancone explained. “I don’t know if it was the surface or he just wasn’t good enough. But after the Arkansas Derby, we sent him to the farm for a bit, put him back on the grass, and I’m looking forward to having a really nice turf horse here for the winter.”
Redland Rebels has started four times since the Arkansas Derby. He won a Florida-bred allowance here Aug. 15 before returning to open company to finish second, beaten a neck, after setting a contested pace in a race switched from turf to the synthetic track in his most recent appearance four weeks ago.
“He got a bit unlucky last time. I just think he’s a better horse on grass than Tapeta,” Biancone said.
Redland Rebels, who figures to be a single on many Rainbow 6 tickets Sunday, will break from the rail and should stand some catching if he leaves cleanly under regular rider Jose Torrealba.
“I tell my rider that with him, Plan A is to go to the lead if he breaks well, Plan B is to come from off the pace if he doesn’t, and Plan C is just to do the best he can,” Biancone said with a laugh.
Those looking to beat the favorite in the Rainbow 6 finale will likely find viable alternatives in Name It, who matched his career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 79 winning a mid-level optional claimer and starter allowance on the turf in his last start, along with the Beau Chapman-trained pair of Quizler and Saratoga Flash.
The remainder of the Rainbow 6 sequence shapes up as follows:
Race 4
Sneak Preview won this same condition last time with a strong late rally and should have a similarly fast and contested pace to run at once again. He is probably a must use along with likely favorite Pioneer Prince, who won two of his last three starts at Del Mar at the same mile distance – albeit around two turns, not one – and owns a decided Beyer edge over this field if able to repeat those efforts in his local bow.
Race 5
Uriel’s Decree was a major disappointment when backed to 4-5 while racing a bit greenly making his career debut on Tapeta. He now comes up tagged for the first time and is the best-bred member of this average-looking maiden-claiming lineup on the grass. Bandari, runner-up in both previous starts, is the logical second option.
Race 6
The class-dropping Win Bet Only is a question mark trying a one-turn mile for the first time, but she ran well enough two back against much better to prove the “A” option in this lineup. Somerset Mia is a bit of a hanging sort but keeps improving from a Beyer standpoint and is hard to leave off the ticket.
Race 7
This is a wide-open turf sprint. Gray Astray has been freshened since a poor performance in mid-July, but he has been working bullets for his return and might offer some value in the Rainbow 6 if he can shake loose on an easy lead like in his one-sided maiden win last winter. Sticky McShnickens is a bit hard to take showing just a single win and 16 in-the-money finishes in 23 lifetime starts, but he is getting some class relief and returning to what appears to be his preferred surface.
Race 8
Looks like a good race to spread, especially for those planning to single the favorite in the nightcap. Full Nelson, re-claimed by his present connections two back, and Titan, off a very game win over this surface last time, are the most logical selections along with Dune Road for those with a more limited bankroll.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.