Handicapping Gulfstream's Rainbow Pick 6

With about a billion dollars (more like $4.5 million) carried over into Saturday's mandatory payout Rainbow Pick 6 pool at Gulfstream, I took a look at what appears to be an extremely tough sequence of races. There was some very wet weather Friday, but I assumed all races Saturday would be kept on the turf. Here goes nothing. . .

Race 7 – Msw, 3yo, 7 1/2fT – This race obviously goes through #8 Sir Dudley Digges, who has hit the board in four of his last five efforts, including a neck second last time. He's got speed, and solid speed figures, but must find the killer instinct that so far he has lacked. #10 Mighty Mo might be the most intriguing alternative, as he finished fifth in a strong Saratoga MSW in his lone previous outing last August. He appears to be working quickly off the trainer change to Mott. Well-bred #4 Fast Latina makes sense if he gets more into the race early. Uses: #4 Fast Latina, #8 Sir Dudley Diggs, #10 Mighty Mo. | Others to consider: #1 Ekati Wildcat, #3 Love and Care, #5 Royal Sniper.

Race 8 – $16K Clm, 4yo/up, 5fT – Oh great. . . a full field of turf sprint claimers. Likely favorite #2 Great Attack has all the back class and figures to sit the trip. #1 Deer Dog actually ran a very good race in his lone turf try two back, and had an excuse last time setting a fast pace. Uses: #1 Deer Dog, #2 Great Attack. | Others to consider: #3 Noble Prince, #6 Red Fever, #7 Little Baker.

Race 9 – $12.5k MCL, 3yo/up, 7f – This is certainly not the easiest group to trust. #1 Prime Time Tommy has the “big” last-out fig, a tiny bit of speed and the rail. #2 Upperton ran creditably at the $25K level last time behind a slow pace and shouldn't mind an extra furlong to work with. #11 Mr Coupons was second as the favorite at this level last time. #12 B. F. Forever is my crazy longshot to toss in. The 17-time maiden has a race at this level that makes him very competitive, and he cuts back a furlong after setting a very fast pace last out. Uses: #1 Prime Time Tommy, #2 Upperton, #11 Mr Coupons, #12 B. F. Forever. | Others to consider: #6 World Leader.

Race 10 – OC ($35K)/SAL, 1mT – This race almost made me cry. #1 McFly looked decent last time breaking his maiden for $35K on the front end. He might just steal it again here. #2 Geo Niko was also relatively visually impressive breaking his maiden last time. #6 Parmel Landing never got a clear run in a similar spot last out. #8 Favorite Heir broke through by a large margin and was scooped up by a barn that does well with new acquisitions. Uses: #1 McFly, #2 Geo Niko, #6 Parmel Landing, #8 Favorite Heir. | Others to consider: #4 Copingaway.

Race 11 – Sanibel Island H. – Finally a straightforward race–hopefully. #6 Lira figures to be tough off her win in the Ginger Brew S. and runner-up finish to Breeders' Cup winner Catch a Glimpse last time in the GIII Herecomesthebride S. #4 Harmonize can also definitely win if she's ready off the bench. She was one of the best 2-year-old turf fillies in the country last year and had a less-than-ideal trip in the BC. Uses: #4 Harmonize, #6 Lira. | Others to consider: #9 Shake Down Baby.

Race 12 – $25K MCL, 3yo, 1mT – #4 Indian Bull looks sneaky in a race begging for a fresh face. His lone prior outing was a dirt sprint maiden special weight for Indiana-breds in September, where he finished fourth. He's got an upbeat worktab since then, however, and a grassy pedigree on the bottom. #5 Running Hoplite is a Christophe Clement-trained firster. . . that's good enough for me. #11 Appa ran in spots when debuting at a slightly higher level last time. He might show more speed this time under Paco. Uses: #4 Indian Bull, #5 Running Hoplite, #11 Appa. | Others to consider: #2 Little Chuck.

Budget Ticket: GP R7 – $0.20 Rainbow PK6 – 4,8,10 w/ 1,2 w/ 1,2,11,12 w/ 1,2,6,8 w/ 4,6 w/ 4,5,11 = $115.20

Spread Ticket: GP R7 – $0.20 Rainbow PK6 – 1,3,4,5,8,10 w/ 1,2,3,6,7 w/ 1,2,6,11,12 w/ 1,2,6,8 w/ 4,6,9 w/ 2,4,5,11 = $1440