Gulfstream Park's Sunshine Meet concluded Sunday with Saffie Joseph Jr. earning his 14th consecutive track title as leading trainer while Edgard Zayas secured his 10th riding title.
Gulfstream resumes racing Thursday, Thanksgiving Day when it begins its heralded Championship Meet with an eight-race program highlighted by the $100,000 Wait a While over 7 ½ furlongs on the turf. The meet will be highlighted by Pegasus World Cup Day Jan. 24 and the 75th running of the Curlin Florida Derby (G1) March 28.
Joseph, who has won 14 graded stakes this year, including Gulfstream's Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1), Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G2), Inside Information (G2), Princess Rooney (G3), Royal Delta (G3), and Ghostzapper (G3), won the Sunshine Meet title with 34 victories, eight more than Jose D'Angelo.
"It never gets old. Actually, like a month ago, we were down six or seven. I looked at it and said, 'Ooooh." I said, 'We'll give it a go and see if it can work out.' The horses got in form, and it worked out," he said. "All the credit goes to the horses. All praise to God and the workers and the owners who give me the horses. I'm a small part of it."
Joseph is hoping White Abarrio can defend his title in the Pegasus World Cup in January and also run Skippylongstocking, winner of the Hollywood Gold Cup (G2).
The popular Zayas rode two of Joseph's graded stakes winners this year: Be Your Best in the Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf and Haulin Ice in the Princess Rooney. He also rode Burnham Square to victory in the Holy Bull (G3). Zayas ended the meet with 44 victories for his third Sunshine Meet title in five years. Miguel Vasquez was two behind Zayas.
"It feels great. It's been a great year," Zayas said. "We've been getting a lot of support from all the trainers, owners, my agent and family. It's nice to get it done again, especially right before the Championship Meet. It's a really important meet and it's nice to have that momentum."
Arindel was leading owner in money won while JC Racing Stable led all owners with eight wins.
Rainbow 6 Jackpot Pool Estimated at $250,000 for Thursday.
The 20-cent Rainbow 6 jackpot pool is estimated to reach $250,000 Thursday, opening day of the 2025-2026 Championship Meet at Gulfstream Park.
First race post time for the Thanksgiving Day holiday program is 11:15 a.m.
The popular multi-race wager went unsolved for nine consecutive racing days to conclude the Sunshine Meet after last producing multiple mandatory payouts of $7,316.38 Nov. 2. Another mandatory payout is scheduled for Nov. 30.
In the Rainbow 6 the jackpot pool is only paid out when there is a single unique ticket sold with all six winners. On days when there is no unique ticket, 70 percent of that day's pool goes back to those bettors holding tickets with the most winners while 30 percent is carried over to the jackpot pool.
Thursday's Rainbow 6 spans Races 3-8 and includes the $100,000 Wait a While for 2-year-old fillies scheduled at 7 ½ furlongs on the turf in Race 8.
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