Turf racing should return to Gulfstream on Thursday

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Lacking so much as an allowance race, a nine-race Thursday card will have the Rainbow 6 (races 4-9) and a gross pool guarantee of at least $1.25 million as a primary attraction for horseplayers. A forceout of the Rainbow 6 is tentatively planned for Saturday.

Although turf racing was forced Sunday to the Tapeta because of weekend rain, much drier conditions are in the South Florida forecast for the coming week, so both Thursday turf races (4 and 9) can be expected to go as scheduled.

◗ Miles Ahead and Drain the Clock both earned 102 Beyer Speed Figures while a neck apart as the one-two finishers Saturday in the Gulfstream Park Sprint. It was the first triple-digit Beyer for both horses.

◗ A pair of Dale Romans-trained colts being aimed at the March 5 Fountain of Youth were out for separate half-mile works Saturday, when Giant Game went in 48.60 seconds and Howling Time went in a swift 46.60 seconds.

◗ Friday was a memorable day for veteran trainer Ron Abrams as he sent out a pair of longshot winners in Road to Meath ($63.60) and Drillomatic ($39.40), both on the turf. Abrams won his first race in 1977 at the old Calder.

◗ Big Invasion struck quite an impression with a 4 1/4-length triumph under Irad Ortiz in a maiden turf sprint Saturday, earning a 94 Beyer. The 3-year-old Declaration of War colt is trained by Christophe Clement for Reeves Thoroughbred Racing.

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