Godolphin’s 4-year-old homebred mare, Spirit of Hope—who is a half-sister to 2023 Horse of the Year Cody’s Wish—will make her racing debut during the 20-cent Rainbow 6 Series, which is expected to feature a prize pool of approximately $450,000 when the championship resumes Thursday at Gulfstream Park.
The popular multi-race wager last paid out $71,527.70 in split jackpots on Pegasus World Cup Day, January 24. The largest Rainbow 6 jackpot payout to date for the championship was $416,348.44 on January 8.
In the Rainbow 6 format, the jackpot is awarded only if there is a single unique ticket that correctly selects all six winners. If no such ticket exists, 70% of the pool goes to the bettor with the highest winnings that day, while 30% rolls over to the jackpot for the next event.
Thursday’s sequence begins with Race 5, a 1 1/16-mile starter allowance on turf for 3-year-old fillies. Notable runners include Cairo Comedy and defending champion Divine Blue, facing six other contenders for the $35,000 purse. Cole the Bullpen has placed third or better in four of his six starts, including a turf mile victory at Gulfstream on January 9. Trainer Carlos David also has a winner in the lineup.
Race 6 features the first special weight contest for older mares, covering one mile on the main track. Spirit of Hope will start from a six-horse rail for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. Bred from the Tapit mare Dance Card, this bay filly has been steadily training since late November preparing for her debut at Payson Park.
Other competitors include two well-priced acquisitions bought at auction for $475,000, aimed to challenge the top trainers. Jockey Shag McGaughey has entered the Tapit-bred Tejanita in her sixth start, coming off a fourth-place finish in a six-furlong race on January 3. Whitethorn, a Not This Time daughter, finished second in a mile turf race at Gulfstream on December 27 and is making her second start under trainer Todd Pletcher. She holds two second-place finishes and one third in three starts.
This story was originally published by Paulick Report on February 1, 2026, and appeared first in the News section. Click here to select Paulick Report as your preferred news source.
Fan Take: The debut of Spirit of Hope, closely related to Horse of the Year Cody’s Wish, marks an exciting moment for racing enthusiasts eager to spot the next star. Moreover, the substantial Rainbow 6 jackpot continues to energize bettors and fans alike, keeping Gulfstream Park at the forefront of thrilling competition and wagering innovation in horse racing.
