Gulfstream Park's  Rainbow 6 jackpot left the building Thursday and without further verification, it may have gone out in the pocket of a real player, Frank Carl Calabrese.  

    There were just three single tickets alive heading into the 11th-race finale, and when Calabrese's Nick the Cardshark loped home by 5 3/4 lengths and paid $57.40 under Carlos Montalvo, the pool was hit for $324,179. Sound reasoning would lead one to believe that the only person alive with the 27-1 shot would be the owner, especially since Calabrese is known for his wagering prowess.   

    Of course, Ken and Sarah Ramsey might have been alive for the finale based on the results of the first five races, three of which were won by progeny of their fabulous stallion, Kitten's Joy. After Live Oak Plantation's Kabang, a Tapit gelding, got things going at $18.80 in the sixth race, the Ramseys won the seventh (owned and bred) for a payoff of $7.20, West Point Thoroughbreds the eighth at $17.40, the Ramseys the ninth (owned only) at $6.20, and the Ramseys the 10th (bred only) at $17.40. Could Ken and Sarah be holding the winning combo? Or Frank Carl Calabrese? Word will probably leak out shortly, if it hasn't already. 

    HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN? - The conspiracy theorists had cause for further dismay at Oaklawn Park Thursday when First Thought went wire-to-wire in the second race. When he broke out of the gate in the six-furlong race, First Thought was sitting on the board at 5/2. He continued on top with a two or three-length lead down the backstretch and around the turn, and as they hit the top of the stretch. That's when the odds changed on the TV screen and he was 2-1.

    I know the tracks swear they can monitor when and where all bets come from, but a change when they hit the top of the stretch? Come on.  

    BO OVER BOW - A horse showed up in the 10th race at Gulfstream on Thursday - Bow Town Cat - by Cowtown Cat out of Clara Bow, by Way West. Todd Schrupp and Simon Bray reminded us oldies that everybody under 45 or so believes that the world began the day they were born. That's why they laugh at the Fabulous Fifties, Elvis, the Bee Gees and disco, are positive that basketball originated the day Michael Jordan came to town, and constantly spout that today's athletes are "bigger, faster and stronger." (They always leave out "fatter.") I can't imagine finding any football player today who is faster than Bob Hayes (Cowboys) or Henry Carr (Giants) of the 60s.

    Todd and Simon deliberated over the pronunciation of the Bow in Bow Town, whether it should be like cow, or bo. They clearly had no idea of who Clara Bow was. Thankfully, track announcer Peter Aiello got the bo right. By the way, Pete, who used to announce the quarter horse races at Hialeah and was the track's PR director, has become quite proficient during his stint at Gulfstream. He has a great announcing voice, speaks clearly and picks up horses who may not be close to the leaders when they begin making a move from the rear. Good choice. 

     

     

    

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