RAINBOW SIX – 3/29/2026
RACE 6
SELECTIONS: 2-3-4-6
The opening leg begins with a morning line favorite that would be a heavy single if he hailed from a higher percentage barn. The reality is that #2 BULL SHOALS is from the 9% stable of Jena Antonucci. He ran a bang-up race on debut, finishing second fater getting steadied on the first turn and rallying wide into the stretch. He now gets a key rider switch to Tyler Gaffalione, who should help him relax early and save ground from the inside. If he can move forward at all second time out, he’ll be very tough to beat. The other runner I want to use as an ‘A’ is #3 CROWN SEEKER. No denying he has to improve a great deal to win this thing, but his turf pedigree on the dam side is vast. He is out of a dam who was a 6x turf winner and she has dropped a couple of turf winners from three to race.
RACE 7
SELECTIONS: 6-2-7-3
#6 NOBLE J is the one to catch as he returns from a lackluster effort last time out. That poor performance had everything to do with being stuck inside and forced into a strong pace. He is going to be as clear early as jockey Javier Castellano desires and this barn has quietly had a good run at the Championship Meet. His best effort to date was his maiden win three starts ago when he took command and never looked back and similar tactics should be used here. #2 HE’S A BEAST is dangerous on the surface switch for David Fawkes, who conditions each of the top two picks. This son of The Big Beast was good two starts back, as he contested a strong pace before assuming command early and giving way late. A return to that effort makes him a major player here.
RACE 8
SELECTIONS: 4-12-2-3
#4 HONESTO has improved a great deal in his last two outings. He was up for second last time out at 8-1 and should be a similar price today. The pace expected in this field will be conducive to a late-running type and he’ll be able to save some ground from this inside draw. All signs point to him being a major late threat.
#12 NINJA STAR was spotted aggressively off a claim by David Fawkes and now drops in class off a dull effort last time out. He was too close to a hot pace in his last start before emptying out late and he should fit very well here class-wise. Even #2 WINOOSKI is a threat as he comes back off a good run in his last start. He’ll need to avoid losing too much ground early and should be a square price in a competitive heat.
RACE 9
SELECTIONS: 2-9-5-6
This will be the key to the sequence as I will stand alone with #2 THEMANUPFRONT. He is the one to catch and enters off a powerhouse virtual wire-to-wire score. The waters are deeper here as he moves back into open company after beating Florida-breds. The pace edge, though, is too significant to overlook and he is likely to be loose early. The 4x Gulfstream winner will control things with ease and figures to be very tough to beat if left alone.
LEG E, RACE 7 – SANTA ANITA PARK
SELECTIONS: 10-9-5-4
The effort put forth second off a claim by #10 BAYTOWN PARFAIT was quite good. He wound up setting a hot pace before tiring late. He is now the on to catch for Nick Tomlinson and has the speed to get over from his tricky outside post. This is a talented horse who knocked heads with good competition earlier in his career. If he can get to the top, the rest of this bunch is in trouble. #9 LONGBRANCH LOU is a late runner who has strung together two straight wins for Nolan Ramsey. He is a Tapeta lover given what we’ve seen so far and he’ll be a deserving heavy favorite, despite his tepid 3-1 morning line. He’s a must-use in every way today.
LEG F, RACE 8– SANTA ANITA PARK
SELECTIONS: 11-2-5-9
#11 DYNA hails from the barn of Kevin Attard, who has won with each of his last three starters at Gulfstream. She was in against incredibly tough competition in three starts following a narrow miss on debut at Woodbine. The outside draw is not ideal but she has the speed to get into the mix from the outset. Both #2 VOLUNTARYand #5 RIVER RIDE merit consideration here off 2nd and 3rd place finishes, respectively, in their debuts. Voluntary arguably ran better given her proximity to the early lead and she now draws a post position where she can save ground throughout.
Good luck!
