Bankroll builders before Rainbow 6 mandatory payout at Gulfstream Park

by SCOTT SHAPIRO

Whether you plan to bet a few bucks or thousands of dollars into a mandatory payout pool, adding to your bankroll before the main event gets started is always good for both your wallet and your emotional state.

The Gulfstream Park Rainbow Pick 6 pool made it through Pegasus World Cup Day and now will be the center of attention Sunday afternoon following another powerful performance by 2017 Horse of the Year, Gun Runner.

The sequence commences with Race 7, so that gives us six races to build our bankroll.

Here are a couple of horses that have big chances over the first half of the Gulfstream Park Sunday afternoon card:

Race 1

#8 Shezaprado ships in from Louisiana for trainer Mike Maker. The daughter of Paddy O’Prado makes her third start of the form cycle after finishing last in a field of six back on January 6 at Fair Grounds.

I can forgive that effort last time out against conditional $30K claimers because the four-year-old filly raced against the flow of a race dominated by those on the front end. 

The $40,000 Keeneland September 2015 purchase for Out of this World Racing drops down to take on a moderate group of $16K claimers and appears to have found a race shape that is more likely to set up her late run.

I like the fact that Tyler Gaffalione returns to ride since he was aboard in her lone victory over this turf course last January 7, 2017. Look for Gafflalione to angle in and save ground early and come with one run when they turn for home.

The price is not great, but I love Shezaprado’s chances to mow them down in the lane to kickoff the Sunday card.

Race 5

#3 Polished Steel returns to the races just 17 days after his first try of 2018 for trainer Jorge Navarro.

The well-bred four-year-old gelding did not pan out for his former connections, but Navarro claimed him for the low price of $6250 back in late November at Gulfstream Park West.

The son of Bernardini was cost all chance in the initial start for his new barn back on January 11 when he was bumped at the break and failed to make the early lead. Jockey Eduardo Nunez tried to rush his mount through runners to the front of the group, but his efforts failed and he gave way finishing last in a field of 11.

I assume Polished Steel came out of that race well since Navarro wheels him back in less than three weeks. Unlike last time out, he takes on a group that lacks early zip in this seven-furlong dash over the main track, so with a clean break he should be able to make an easy lead and have plenty left to hold off his main rivals in the final furlongs.

At anything 3-1 or higher I will certainly be getting involved in the final leg of the early Pick 5.

Good luck to everyone diving into the monster pool at Gulfstream Park today. Hopefully we can get the day started with a few winners.