Soon To Be: Another Rainbow Millionaire

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Bernies Blog

An ultra-lucky Powerball player in New Hampshire hit the jackpot Saturday night for a life-changing score for himself/herself, family and friends and, hopefully, some worthwhile charities. Wouldn't it be nice if the person was a horse lover and opts to bring Rockingham Park back to life?

A Gulfstream Park player, who could be anywhere, will soon achieve millionaire status, too, since the Rainbow Pick 6 jackpot will open at $1,464,551 for Wednesday's program. Santa Anita's jackpot will open at $213,717 on Thursday.

FILLING UP - The $16 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational has amassed a stalwart group of runners for its second edition on Jan. 27, including Sharp Azteca, Gun Runner, West Coast, Collected, Stellar Wind, Toast of New York, Giant Expectations, War Story, Seeking the Soul and Gunnevera. Despite Gun Runner's great form, this one is wide open. Almost as exciting as the actual race has been the constant deal-making to fill the 12 spots.

CHANGES COMING - Brent and Crystal Fernung at Journeyman Stud were devastated when Wildcat Heir died early in 2015, and rightfully so. The son of Forest Wildcat has been the leading sire in Florida for about six years, and in the season that just ended, was head and shoulders above the rest with progeny earnings of more than $6.3 million. Double Diamond's First Dude was next with $3.6 million but that will change this year since the Dude has another full book of 2-year-olds coming up while Wildcat Heir will have none for the first time.

Ocala Stud is the unquestioned leader among the farms, with High Cotton, Adios Charlie, In Summation, Overdriven and Awesome of Course all in the top 12 in Florida. High Cotton and Overdriven aren't breeding anymore, but their impact will still be felt for a couple of years. Prospective, No. 31 as a freshman in 2017, will move well up the ladder this year. Expect Get Away Farm's Two Step Salsa and Northwest Stud's Gone Astray to have banner seasons, along with Pleasant Acres' leading freshmen, Poseidon's Warrior and Treasure Beach.