Gulfstream: Friday’s Rainbow 6 $1.5 Million – Ticonderoga Returns Triumphant in Thursday’s Feature

By David Joseph —-

Ticonderoga; Lauren King Photos

GULFSTREAM TODAY 3.14.19

Ticonderoga Returns Triumphant in Thursday’s Feature
A Bit of Both Dazzles in Thursday’s Co-Feature
Friday’s Rainbow 6 Carryover Jackpot Climbs Over $1.5 Million

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Woodford Racing, LLC’s Ticonderoga returned from a seven-month layoff with a last-to-first surge to win Thursday’s featured ninth race, a graded-stakes quality optional claiming allowance, at Gulfstream Park.

The nine-horse field for the 1 1/16-mile turf feature attracted five graded-stakes winners, including Ticonderoga, two other graded-placed runners and two other stakes winners.

Trained by Chad Brown, Ticonderoga ($3.80) had been on the sidelines since winning an optional claiming allowance at Saratoga Aug. 8 in a stretch-devouring manner similar to Thursday’s victorious return to action.

Ridden by Hall of Famer Javier Castellano, the 5-year-old son of Tapit lagged in last around the first turn and along the backstretch as Real Story set a solid pace under Robby Albarado, posting fractions of 23.42 and 47.92 seconds for the first half mile. Ticonderoga picked up his pace on the far turn before slipping between horses leaving the turn into the homestretch and making an outside drive to catch Real Story by a length.

“He’s such a great horse. He’s a come-from-behind horse, and I didn’t want to change anything. The track is firm and speed carries, but he’s a good horse and good horses always perform,” Castellano said. “I give all the credit to Chad Brown, he did an excellent job with the horse. He hasn’t run since Saratoga, and to bring him here and perform the way he did and the way he finished the race, it’s amazing. I just enjoyed the ride.”

Ticonderoga, who captured the 2017 Palm Beach (G3) at Gulfstream Park, ran 1 1/16 miles over a firm turf course in 1:40.31.

“Turning for home at the quarter pole, I cut the corner and got to see my view and where I need to go,” Castellano said. “I could see a lot of horses were backing up and I decided to go around. I’ve got the best horse, and I saved all the ground in the race. I put him outside and when I asked him, he finished really well. He’s a really nice horse.”

Real Story, who captured the American Derby (G3) at Arlington Park last summer, held second in his first start since finishing off the board in the Secretariat (G1) Aug. 11. Awesome Saturday finished third under Tyler Gaffalione a head back.

Earlier on Thursday’s program, Jason Servis-trained A Bit of Both romped to a thoroughly dominating 10-length triumph in a six-furlong optional claiming allowance. The 3-year-old son of Paynter relaxed along the backstretch under Luis Saez before streaking away to an eye-catching victory through the stretch, running six-furlongs in 1:11.45 in the optional claiming allowance.

A Bit of Both debuted for trainer Kathleen O’Connell with an 11 ½-length triumph in a $50,000 maiden claiming race last September before owner/breeder Darsan, Inc. sold controlling interest to Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables LLC., Bethlehem Stables LLC and Simon David. The Florida-bred 3-year-old colt finished second in his first start for Servis before romping to victory Thursday.

Friday’s Rainbow 6 Carryover Jackpot Climbs to $1,509,826

The 20-cent Rainbow 6 carryover jackpot at Gulfstream Park swelled to $1,509,826.12 Thursday when the popular multi-race wager went unsolved for 20th consecutive racing day.

First-race post time for Friday’s 10-race card is set for 1:15 p.m.

A total of $350,744 was bet into the popular multi-race wager, which began with a pool of $1,425,670.10 carried over from Wednesday’s card. Multiple tickets with all six winners Thursday were each worth $349.62.

The carryover jackpot is only paid out when there is a single unique ticket sold with all six winners. On days when there is no unique ticket, 70 percent of that day’s pool goes back to those bettors holding tickets with the most winners, while 30 percent is carried over to the jackpot pool.

Since the 2018-19 Championship Meet kicked off Dec. 1, the Rainbow 6 has been hit seven times, most recently for a $227,505.88 payout Feb. 15.

Who’s Hot: Two-time defending Championship Meet titlist Luis Saez made it to the 100-win mark for the third straight season at Gulfstream Thursday while riding A Bit of Both ($2.20) to victory in Race 3. Saez went on to capture Race 5 with Eastern Princess ($8.20) and Cappy Hour ($7.40) in the 10th.

Rainbow 6 Carryover: $1,509,826

Gulfstream Park is a Stronach Group company, North America’s leading Thoroughbred racetrack owner/operator. The Stronach Group racetracks include Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park & Casino, Golden Gate Fields, Portland Meadows, Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, home of the world-famous Preakness. The company owns and operates the Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida, and is one of North America’s top race horse breeders through its award-winning Adena Springs operation. The Stronach Group is one of the world’s largest suppliers of pari-mutuel wagering systems, technologies and services. Its companies include AmTote, a global leader in wagering technology; XpressBet, an Internet and telephone account wagering service; and Monarch Content Management, which acts as a simulcast purchase and sales agent of horseracing content for numerous North American racetracks and wagering outlets. The Stronach Group is also a leading producer of social media content for the horseracing industry. For more information contact David Joseph at david.joseph@gulfstreamparkcom or call 954.457.6451.