Gulfstream Park’s Sunday afternoon slate is headlined by a mandatory payout in the Rainbow 6. The 20-cent minimum wager has a carryover of over $143K entering the card that kicks off at 12:50 PM eastern. The pool estimated by track officials to be around $1.25M when Race 4 breaks from the gate at 2:24 eastern is led by an allowance event that includes Steal Sunshine and Alexander Helios.

Grade Descriptions: Grade A=Highest degree of confidence; Grade B=Solid Play. Grade C=Least preferred or pass; Grade X=probable winner but likely at odds too short to play.


Race 4:
Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 2 Backonthechaingang; 7 Oasis Prince
Backups: None

Forecast: I will try to beat the two ML favorites in this open $12,500 claimer at 6.5-furlongs with a pair of mid-priced geldings, including top choice #2 Backonthechaingang. The son of Tonalist drops back down in class and cuts back in distance after a stalk and fade against allowance foes going one-mile. His race two-back puts him squarely in the mix. #7 Oasis Prince also cuts back. If they go at it early, I like his chances to make the final move.


Race 5:
Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 6 Street Belle; 2 Sonnynpeaches
Backups: 10 Would I Lie to You

Forecast: #2 Sonnyandpeaches was made the 9-5-ML favorite by oddsmaker Brian Nadeau on the class drop for trainer Jose D’Angelo. The Uncle Chuck filly drops to the lowest level of her career, but lacks early speed and will have to work out a trip from the inside. She is tough to toss versus this bunch, but equally tough to fully trust. #6 Street Belle seems like an intriguing alternative. The daughter of Street Boss makes her first start as a 3YO after taking on better competition as a juvenile for Joel Santiago. She should have the speed off the layoff with the addition of blinkers to make the lead in this 5.5-furlong dash over the all-weather.


Race 6:
Grade: B
Main Ticket: 1 Alexander Helios
Backups: None

Forecast: The aforementioned feature appears to lack early speed on paper. This should benefit #1 Alexander Helios. The son of Cairo Prince makes his first start since a pair of efforts where he was not on the screen during the stretch drive against Grade 3 foes. The Saffie Joseph Jr. trainee did not finish off the year well after a strong start in the winter, but gets significant lass relief for his return. I expect him to be a bit keen off the significant layoff, which should allow jockey Micah Husbands to make the lead against these. From there, he should be tough to deny if close to the horse he was in the early part of 2025.


Race 7:
Grade: X
Main Ticket: 3 Happy Ride
Backups: None

Forecast: I have little desire in trying to beat 7-5-ML favorite #3 Happy Ride in this optional claimer at 5-furlongs over the all-weather. The Ride on Curlin mare has found a new gear since entering trainer Joe Orseno’s barn via claim earlier this year. She has won two in a row and should have no issue cruising to the front and making it three after taking heat from the co-favorite on May 1 and turning that one away with relative ease. A repeat and they are running for second.


Race 8:
Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 4 It’s Only Words
Backups: 6 Flowko

Forecast: The penultimate leg to the Rainbow 6 carryover is likely to be bet like a three-horse race with #5 Frosty Belle and #6 Flowko expected to go off as the top two choices. Of the two I prefer Flowko since she appears to have a pace advantage, but I like #4 It’s Only Words most. The 5YO mare is a six-time winner taking on ladies with mostly one victory on their resume. Her affinity to win races compared to her competition should bode well for the daughter of Khozan who makes her first start off a near three-month break for owner/trainer Heather Smullen. Hopefully, she gets a favorable mid-pack trip under jockey Jose Morelos.


Race 9:
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 5 Ghostlight
Backups: None

Forecast: I will close things out with a single in this maiden claimer over the all-weather where it looks like either #5 Ghostlight will triumph in her first start for Saffie Joseph or anyone can win. The Ghostzapper filly drops in class and makes her debut for a barn that is 11 for 37 with an ROI of $2.07 at Gulfstream Park over the last 30 days. Ghostlight is not a cinch given her lack of early speed thus far, but she may need to find a new circuit, if unable to get to the wire first in the Sunday finale.