Friday Preview: Pletcher Seeking 4,000th Win; Gulfstream Rainbow 6 Carryover at $3.5 Million

HorseracingFLA Staff Report

Conditions are fast and firm at both Florida thoroughbred tracks today, when Todd Pletcher will be seeking his 4,000th career training victory.

Pletcher has five horses entered at Gulfstream Park, which has an 11-race program with first post of 12:35 p.m.  According to Equibase, he does not have any horses entered at other tracks today.

There is a carryover of $3,502,617 in the Rainbow 6. It is on races six to 11, starting at 3:05 p.m. Please check our blog for more details in a story “Covering Today’s Rainbow 6 Would Cost $122,472.”

Tampa Bay Downs has ten races today with first post of 12:25 p.m.

According to The Weather Channel, there is a zero percent chance of rain in the area for Tampa Bay Downs in Oldsmar and a ten percent chance of rain in the area for Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach.

Pletcher’s 3,999 wins place him tenth all-time in North America, according to Equibase. His most recent win came with Kinsley Kisses in this past Sunday’s seventh race at Tampa Bay.

His first chance to reach 4,000 will come in today’s third race at Gulfstream, with Tenggara. It is a maiden special weight at seven furlongs on dirt for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up.  John Velazquez, a long-time go-to rider for Pletcher has the mount.

Pletcher is on course to lead trainers in wins for the 13th straight Gulfstream championship meet.

Through yesterday he has 54 wins. Jorge Navarro is second with 38.

Counting today. there are 13 race days left in the meet that will end on April 3.

 Note — Photo on home page by Barry Unterbrink