Gulfstream: Lynn’s Milky Way, Owner, Have Bright Futures

By David Joseph —-

GULFSTREAM TODAY

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Smith Ranch Stables’ Lynn’s Milky Way drew off to a dominating eight-length victory Sunday at Gulfstream Park, sparking a most spirited post-race celebration in the winner’s circle.

Lynn Smith, who owns the 3-year-old daughter of Volatile with her husband Dana, certainly had reasons to celebrate.

Lynn’s Milky Way stamped herself as a filly with a big future with her thoroughly professional performance while more than living up to her 3-5 favoritism under Irad Ortiz Jr.

The future also looks mighty bright for her owner.

“I had Stage 1 breast cancer. I’m in remission now. Look, my hair is coming back!” Lynn Smith said while lifting her ballcap to reveal her newly grown hair. “I got diagnosed January a year ago. I started Chemo Feb. 1, and I ended in May. Now I’m just having infusions every 21 days until the end of May.”

Lynn’s Milky Way, a $60,000 yearling purchase at the 2023 Keeneland September sale, debuted at Gulfstream Nov. 22 with an 11-length romp in a six-furlong $50,000 maiden claiming race. She came back to finish second after showing the way in the seven-furlong Gasparilla Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs Jan. 11 in her most recent start.

Sunday, Lynn’s Milky Way chased the pace in third along the backstretch after veering to the outside leaving her outside post position. The Luis Ramirez-trained filly gained ground along the backstretch and far turn before pulling alongside the leader and continuing on to a comfortable score in the 5 ½-furlong starter optional claiming event carded as Race 6.

“This keeps me going,” Lynn Smith said gleefully after planting several kisses on her winning filly’s snout before she was led out of the winner’s circle. “It’s amazing. I pinch myself all the time, and she’s so sweet.”

She couldn’t be prouder of her namesake’s success.

“My name’s Lynn. When I bought her, she had this really unique birthmark – a white mark that looks like the Milky Way — so I named her Lynn’s Milky Way,” she said.

Although Lynn’s Milky Way’s rousing victory Sunday will certainly prompt many phone calls from prospective buyers, it’s highly doubtful that Lynn Smith will let her out of her sight.

“You never let your wife name a horse after herself, because she’s never going to sell it,” said Dana Smith with a chuckle.

‘Never,’ Lynn Smith quickly retorted.

The Smiths, who reside in Lighthouse Point, FL and Hagerstown, MD, have owned horses since 2017 and currently have 10 in their stable.

Wednesday’s Rainbow 6 Jackpot Pool Estimated at $150,000

The 20-cent Rainbow 6 went unsolved Sunday following Saturday’s mandatory payout that yielded multiple jackpot payoffs of $164,292.76.

The popular multi-race wager’s jackpot pool is expected to grow to an estimated $150,000 Wednesday, when first-race post time for a nine-race program will get underway at 12:50 p.m.

Wednesday’s Rainbow 6 sequence will span Races 4-9, featuring a mile starter allowance in which Jose Gallegos-trained Santos to Wilson will seek his third victory from four starts since arriving from Del Mar. The 7-year-old son of Gemologist is coming off a 7 ½-length romp against $12,500 claimers going a mile.

Who’s Hot: Paco Lopez followed up a four-win Saturday with two wins Sunday, scoring aboard Confer ($17.20) in Race 5 and No Evidence ($5.60) in Race 10.

Irad Ortiz Jr. doubled aboard St. Olaf Rose ($3.60) in Race 2 and Lynn’s Milky Way ($3.40) in Race 6.

About The Stronach Group and 1/ST

The Stronach Group is a world-class technology, entertainment and real estate development company with Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering at the core. The Stronach Group’s 1/ST business (pronounced “First”) is North America’s preeminent Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering company and includes the 1/ST RACING & GAMING, 1/ST CONTENT, 1/ST TECHNOLOGY and 1/ST EXPERIENCE businesses, while advocating for and driving the 1/ST HORSE CARE mission. 1/ST represents The Stronach Group’s continued movement toward redefining Thoroughbred racing and the ecosystem that drives it. 1/ST RACING & GAMING drives the best-in-class racing operations and gaming offerings at the company’s premier racetracks, training centers and premier events including: Santa Anita Park and San Luis Rey Downs (California); Gulfstream Park – home of the Pegasus World Cup and Palm Meadows Thoroughbred Training Center (Florida); Laurel Park, The Preakness Stakes, Rosecroft Raceway and Bowie Training Center (Maryland). 1/ST CONTENT is the operating group for 1/ST’s media and content companies including: Monarch Content Management, Elite, TSG Global Wagering Solutions (GWS) and 1/ST TV. 1/ST TECHNOLOGY is racing’s largest racing and gaming technology company offering world-class products via its AmTote, Xpressbet, 1/ST BET, XB SELECT, XB NET, PariMAX and Betmix brands. 1/ST EXPERIENCE blends the worlds of sports, entertainment and hospitality through innovative content development, elevated national and local venue management and hospitality, strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and procurement development. As the advocate for critical industry reforms and by making meaningful investments into aftercare programs for retired horses and jockeys, 1/ST HORSE CARE represents The Stronach Group’s commitment to achieving the highest level of horse and rider care and safety standards in Thoroughbred racing on and off the track. The Stronach Group’s TSG Properties is responsible for the development of the company’s live, play and work communities surrounding its racing venues including: The Village at Gulfstream Park (Florida) and Paddock Pointe (Maryland). For more information email david.joseph@GulfstreamPark.com and visit www.1st.com or follow @1ST_racing on Twitter or @1stracing on Instagram and Facebook.