There’s a certain electricity that comes with redemption, and Makeit to Cheyenne brought that charge back to Gulfstream Park on Sunday afternoon. After two months away from the races, the 3-year-old gelding produced a dramatic, last-stride victory over veteran speedster Xy Speed in a thrilling turf feature — the kind of finish that leaves both punters and horsemen breathless.
The emotion wasn’t lost on trainer Joe Orseno, who watched his horse battle through a testing five-furlong sprint to snatch victory in the final jump. “That was a big comeback race,” Orseno said afterward. “He worked really well here and always liked Florida. I shipped him around a bit and he went off form, but it looks like he’s back.”
Ridden confidently by Edgard Zayas, Makeit to Cheyenne ($30.20) tracked the pace in third as Esperon blazed early fractions of :20.39 and :43.04. When the field straightened for home, Esperon’s lead wilted, and Zayas guided his mount smoothly down the center, holding off Xy Speed—who was gunning for his 17th career win—to prevail by a nose. The winning time over firm turf was a slick 54.86 seconds, marking Makeit to Cheyenne’s third career victory and first since March.
The narrow defeat was tough for Xy Speed, trained by Michael Lerman, who returned from an August layoff and carried three more pounds than his younger rival. Still, it was an admirable performance from the 9-year-old, whose consistency over Gulfstream’s turf remains unmatched.
Friday’s Gulfstream Park Rainbow 6 Jackpot Poised for $150,000
Excitement will continue this week at Gulfstream Park, where the Rainbow 6 jackpot pool is projected to climb to $150,000 on Friday as the Sunshine Meet rolls on. The popular 20-cent wager has gone unsolved for six racing days since the last mandatory payout, creating a buildup of anticipation among racing enthusiasts.
Friday’s Rainbow 6 sequence spans Races 5 through 10 and is headlined by the $75,000 Cellars Shiraz Stakes, a 1 1/16-mile turf contest for 3-year-old fillies. The spotlight will be on Steve Dwoskin’s Starship Impulsive, who bids to rebound after her narrow defeat in the Ginger Punch Handicap.
Fans at Gulfstream can also look forward to simulcast action from Del Mar, where the Breeders’ Cup takes center stage Friday and Saturday. Local connections will be cheering for standout performers including White Abarrio (Dirt Mile), Sovereignty (Classic), Lennilu (Juvenile Turf Sprint), Be Your Best (Filly & Mare Turf), and speedsters Bentornato and Shisospicy.
As excitement builds for both Gulfstream’s live card and Breeders’ Cup weekend, the Rainbow 6 jackpot provides a perfect incentive for racing fans to stay tuned — whether they’re wagering on-site or online.
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