Rainbow 6 Jackpot Must Go on Memorial Day!
Heading into this holiday weekend’s racing at Gulfstream Park the Rainbow 6 Jackpot carryover stands at $6,303,246 with a mandatory payout on Monday, May 26th. With racing on Memorial Day, Gulfstream Park will not run Friday.
No one has hit the jackpot since January 10th, and the chances that there is a lone winning ticket on Saturday or Sunday are very slim. On Saturday, only 2 of the 6 race sequence drew a field of more than 7 horses. Sunday is slightly better with only 2 of the 6 fields have more than 8 entrants. The likelihood of the total pool exceeding $10 million could create the largest payoff in North American Thoroughbred racing history.
For Monday, Gulfstream Park offered an extra $500 to every horse making it to the starting gate. This added incentive drew 79 entries (also-eligibles included) for the races making up the Rainbow 6. Though selections will not be finalized until Monday morning after weather reports and the scratch list become available, here is a quick snapshot of each race.
Race 5- Maiden Special Weight 1 1/16 miles on turf
This race looks pretty wide open on paper, and is a spot where I will be looking to spread. #2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10 all look to have a puncher’s chance with #3,5,6 and 10 as my primary selections.
Race 6-Maiden Special Weight 6 ½ furlongs
Of the horses that have started, #5 and #8 look best. I would recommend looking at daily double probabilities to see if any of the first time starters (#1, 2 and 4) are getting played with the runners in the 5th race.
Race 7-O/C $62,500 1 1/16 miles on turf
This race marks the East Coast debut of graded stakes winner My Best Brother. With the rail being out 108 feet, he has drawn the coveted rail position. Unfortunately, there are other speed horses signed on that could benefit late runners. I feel pretty confident using #1, 3, 8 and 12, though #2 and #6 could find their way on my tickets come Monday.
Race 8-$6,250 Claiming 6 furlongs
This race is the most difficult on the card. A lot of the main contenders look like they need to have the lead in order to win, which means it could possibly set up for an overmatched closer that could fall into a dream trip. #4, 10 and 11 are my main horses with #2, 5, 7 and 8 making their way onto some of the tickets.
Race 9-O/C $25,000 1 1/16 miles on turf
#9 Cage Fighter looks very competitive against this group and will be a single on a lot of tickets for many. #7 Balthazar unconventionally showed early speed last out off an 8-month break, so look for him to revert back to his old running style for the always-dangerous barn of Martin Wolfson. #2, 3, 6, and 11 will also be considered as backups over the next few days.
Race 10-Maiden Claiming $12,500 1 1/16 miles on turf
The finale looks like a grab bag, but I will try to narrow my ticket to the #5, 6 and 9 (mainly #5). If any other horses might be considered they would be the #1, 4, 8 and 11, but that would be everything else worked out perfectly in the previous 5 legs.
Final thoughts: Owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey have 4 horses (#5 Wall Street Kitten in race 5, #8 Joes Blazing Aaron race 7, #9 Cage Fighter race 9 and #5 Tohaveandhold race 10) entered that were in Kentucky either training or racing the last 3 weeks. Though they receive $500 for each horse that starts, the Ramseys would lose money just to ship their horses here to start. Therefore, I fully expect them to win with at least 1 of their starters, and would not be surprised if they bagged 2 or 3 victories.