Gulfstream Park's Rainbow 6 has a mandatory payout Sunday with a carryover $111,271 in play. Local racing analyst Ron Nicoletti takes you through the sequence.
RACE 6: 11 PIQUANT is dropping to the $25,000 level after returning from the two-month freshening to finish a screw tightening fifth vs allowance runners on Tapeta. His late-striding victory on the turf during June points him out as the one to fear in a race stocked with speed. 3 RASHID, who used his speed to win consecutive turf races during his summer campaign, returns to the grass after finishing second vs a notch tougher going around two turns on the Tapeta. He’s a major player with the rail set at 66 feet. 7 CORTA FUEGO is stretching out to a mile and a sixteenth after having to steady late when finishing second going a mile last out. Saffie Joseph Jr has Edgard Zayas returning on the gelded son of Divisidero (Kitten’s Joy). SELECTIONS: 11-3-7
RACE 7: 8 CLEAN WINNER is stretching out to 6 1/2 furlongs after chasing the pace and finishing a useful fifth in his six-furlong debut at Aqueduct. Trainer Kelly Breen is 6 for 15 (40%) with maidens making the second start and 21% overall with his freshman runners. 7 CURLEY SUE is cutting back after opening and surrendering a two-length lead when finishing second in her seven-furlong debut. Jose D’Angelo has Leonel Reyes stop the $350,000 daughter of Curlin, who is the one to fear. 1 WANDER WOMAN is debuting locally after the pair of chase and weaken outings sprinting vs restricted maiden special weight runners at Saratoga. Tareq Moubarak has Jonathan Ocasio handling the daughter of Blame. SELECTIONS: 8-7-1
RACE 8: 10 DRUM ROLL moves to the Bobby Dibona barn after holding on to defeat $20,000 claimers going a mile last out. Mr Dibona, 26% with new claims, has leading jockey Miguel Vazquez atop the three-time turf winner (9-3-2-1). 1 WORLD TRAVELER is hoping to travel farther after vying for the lead and settling for third place finish behind Drum Roll when they hooked up at a mile last out. Edgard Zayas gets the riding assignment. 5 MORE THAN GLORY is a consistent sort and the type you want to add to your trifecta and superfecta ticket. Laura Cazares has Jose Morelos trying to grab a share.
RACE 9: 3 ICELANDER, 2 for 2 in the money on the main track, returns to the dirt after coming off the bench and running into Tapeta star Rezarolex in a $35,000 starter optional claimer going 5 1/2 furlongs on the all weather surface. 6 LOU THE BODY is cutting back to 6 1/2 furlongs after getting tagged late when going seven furlongs in the slop. Trainer Dan Hurtak has Rajiv Maragh atop the consistent son of Violence (8 4-3-0). 5 TSHIEBEWE is dropping into a competitive spot for the hot Jose Castro barn that is 7 for 26 at the meeting thus far. The gelding has speed and aggressive rider Emisael Jaramillo added to the mix. SELECTIONS: 3-6-5
RACE 10: THE EMPIRE BUILDER 2 PREVENT is cutting back to a mile after setting the pace and finishing fifth behind this familiar competition going a mile and a sixteenth on the grass. The shorter distance and the rail set at 66 feet, earns the son of Neolithic the call. 12 PRIVATE THOUGHTS, a winner of three consecutive races, breaks from the ultra-demanding outside post when going a mile on the GP turf, which moves him to the second spot. Put this son of Neolithic on the top of the list if there’s some scratches to his inside. 5 RELAMPAGO VERDE, a previous winner at the distance, turns back after coming within a head of catching likely favorite Private Thoughts last out. Bobby Dibona has Miguel Vazquez up. SELECTIONS: 2-12-5
RACE 11: 5 ABUELO is freefalling to the $12,500 level and returning to the Tapeta after facing maiden special weight competition on the Kentucky Downs turf. Saffie has Micha Husbands overseeing the biggest drop in racing. 4 SHACE SLOANE is dropping to the bottom after posting speed figures good enough to defeat this group before going to the sidelines in August. The zero for 11 record is an obvious concern. 3 LEROY BROWN comes off back-to-back third place finishes at this level, and it can be deja vu all over again. SELECTIONS: 5-4-3
BEST BET: RACE 6 – 11 PIQUANT
LONGSHOT: RACE 10 -2 PREVENT
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