It was a productive day at Gulfstream Park for young rider Christopher Elliott, who made the most of his brief visit by capturing two wins from just four rides on Thursday’s nine-race card. The talented 19-year-old, whose racing pedigree includes a father who famously guided Smarty Jones to back-to-back Triple Crown victories in 2004, demonstrated poise and maturity beyond his years in both efforts.
Elliott showcased his tactical prowess aboard Special Act in the fifth race, expertly navigating from a stalking position to edge past the frontrunner in the final strides. The win came in a maiden contest for fillies and mares sprinting over six and a half furlongs. He followed that performance up with a front-running victory on Solomons Gold in Race 7, showing his versatility with a commanding display from gate to wire.
Currently making waves as the top apprentice at Aqueduct, Elliott has notched 63 wins this year and continues to attract attention as a strong contender for the Eclipse Award in his category. Having started his career in Texas at Lone Star Park, he has steadily progressed through tracks like Monmouth Park and Parx before anchoring his current campaign in New York. His Gulfstream success is likely to encourage more stints at the Florida oval, with another visit already scheduled for next week.
Earlier in the day, the turf course at Gulfstream witnessed a dazzling debut performance from Tululo, a homebred filly representing Amaty Racing Stables. Breaking from far back in a crowded 11-horse field, the daughter of Girvin unleashed an extraordinary rally, circling the field with a dramatic move around the turn. Under the guidance of Emisael Jaramillo, she surged just in time to nose out the heavily favored Emerald Ember, leaving an impression in a five-furlong dash designed for 2-year-old fillies.
Tululo’s win not only highlighted her natural ability but also reflected well on trainer Amador Sanchez, who had prepped the filly with turf breezes at Palm Meadows. Her beaten rival, Emerald Ember, trained by Patrick Biancone, had shown promise in workouts and is a half-sibling to two standout runners from the Royal Palm Juvenile events, suggesting this maiden contest may yield multiple future winners.
Looking ahead, the attention now shifts to the upcoming Rainbow 6 wager, which went unclaimed on Thursday. With no winning ticket holding all six winners, the jackpot continues to build. Friday’s pool is projected to start around $75,000, but the big draw is Sunday, when a mandatory payout is scheduled. Should the pot remain untouched through Saturday, projections estimate it could swell to a robust $750,000, creating strong incentive for handicappers across the country to take a shot at the pool.
Friday’s Rainbow 6 will span races four through nine, featuring a notable return in the sixth race. Easy Answer, who delivered an impressive maiden score last month for trainer Gustavo Delgado, headlines the entry-level optional claiming allowance. The Florida-bred gelding won by open lengths in April and appears ready to build on that momentum, though Latch the Hatch, a more seasoned competitor, enters as the morning-line favorite following a strong runner-up finish while racing in blinkers for the first time.
Friday’s card also includes another intriguing 2-year-old maiden turf sprint in Race 2, where Jose D’Angelo sends out Monster, a colt making his third career start and first on grass. The son of Leinster showed flashes of promise in his prior efforts and fired a sharp workout at Palm Meadows, clocking an eye-catching three furlongs in just 33 seconds.
With compelling storylines unfolding on the track and high-stakes wagering on the horizon, Gulfstream Park continues to deliver excitement and opportunity. From rising stars in the saddle to precocious juveniles flashing talent on turf, Thursday’s program offered a little something for everyone—and set the stage for a thrilling weekend of racing action.
