Wide-open fields create challenging Rainbow 6 puzzle
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The potential for a life-changing score will motivate horseplayers to focus on an otherwise-mundane Thursday card at Gulfstream Park, as a Rainbow 6 carryover of $437,934 is there for the taking.
Not even one allowance is carded Thursday, but that seems a matter of insignificance compared with the allure of the Rainbow 6, a 20-cent wager comprising races 6 through 11. A solo winning ticket is required to sweep the jackpot; otherwise, multiple winning tickets are rewarded with a percentage of that day’s handle while the jackpot grows even larger for the following day.
First post Thursday is 1 p.m. Eastern, with race 6 set for 3:30. The local forecast calls for dry conditions, meaning main-track-only designees are likely to scratch.
Here’s a quick rundown of what appears to be an exceedingly difficult sequence:
◗ Race 6: Some bettors might try to slip by with Prima Storm as a single, as he’s likely to be favored again for Christophe Clement. But there are a handful of possible spoilers in against him, including Greg Rules Da, Secret Fortune, and a filly, Bonnie Breeze.
◗ Race 7: Four of these 11 lower-end claiming routers have won at this $6,250 level (or higher) within their last three starts: Smarts, Valid Concept, Tiz Bobby, and Afleet Accompli. They’re the logical ones, although it may be important to note that this is the bottom.
◗ Race 8: It’s Macaroni could be a tepid favorite here after finishing second at this same level six weeks ago, but overall, this maiden-claiming turf sprint is a real grab bag, with other usable possibilities including Miss Saturday Nite, Moon Solomoon, Happy’s Twins, Ozone, Our Liberty Bay, and Rose Graciela.
◗ Race 9: My Little Darlings, first off the claim for Ken and Sarah Ramsey, is an immediate consideration from the rail, although this looks like another wide-open one that could involve Artistic Touch, Twist ’n Bake, Danube River, and another new claim, Quiet Kitten.
◗ Race 10: An absurd amount of early speed is signed on for this starter-optional turf sprint: Imperial Robyn, Trev, Noble Prince, Off the Page, Golden Emperor, and a possible favorite exiting the Gulfstream Turf Sprint, El Botas. Knowing that, maybe horses having shown a willingness to rate early and close late will get an assist, those being Shadow Rock, Mornin Brew, and Tevez. Or maybe not.
◗ Race 11: If you’re lucky (or smart) enough to be alive to a live single in the finale, good luck finding separation among this unwieldy field of 13. A Bit Quick could come a slight public choice after having run fairly well at this level last out for Mike Maker – but, typical of all these Rainbow 6 races, there is a wide array from which to choose, including (but not limited to) Strait to Victory, Ode to Joe, Mr Moneypants, Wildcat Runner, and Caramelo.