Last time Five G competed in South Florida, the filly from the Gatsas stable achieved a memorable victory by winning the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) by 2 1/4 lengths. Now, nearly a year later, breeder and owner Mark Gatzas is hopeful that returning to familiar turf will help Five G regain her top form.
Scheduled as the 9-5 favorite in Friday’s stakes-quality allowance race at Gulfstream—designed for older fillies and those running a mile on their home track—this race marks the second Gulfstream appearance for Vekoma’s 4-year-old daughter, who claimed the Oaks title last March. “It’s been quite a journey, but we expect the classic Five G to show up on Friday,” Gatzas stated. “Though it’s an allowance race, the competition is tough. She’s working hard now, so we’ll assess her performance and plan accordingly.”
Five G had qualified for the Kentucky Oaks (G1) last spring but suffered an injury a day before the race when trainer George Weaver withdrew her due to concerns over her readiness. She didn’t race again until December 28, finishing ninth in the seven-furlong La Brea (G1) at Santa Anita. Her initial West Coast trip with Weaver was complicated by a suspension of horse flights from Thanksgiving through January.
“We sent her out, but there wasn’t any available air transport,” Gatzas explained. “We ended up sending her by van to Santa Anita, but she didn’t race. She was training well, so we eventually pulled back. Maybe leaving earlier was a mistake—it’s easier for a horse to fly than travel by van—and she had to return by van as well.” Gatzas added, “I told George that the Kentucky Oaks would have been her last G1 as a three-year-old. If she had competed then, imagine what it could have meant for us and for Vekoma. I’m satisfied with our choices, even though things didn’t go as planned. Now, we’ll focus on this year’s crop of fillies.”
Gatsas also found success with Millionaire Vekoma in 2020, who won the Hutchison at Gulfstream as well as the Carter (G1) and Met Mile (G1) at Belmont Park, despite only running three races that final season. Five G boasts a perfect 2-for-2 record at Gulfstream, including a dominant nine-length victory in the 1-mile Cash Run prior to the Oaks.
“That experience showed how much she loves this track, so we’ll build from that,” Gatzas remarked. “She’s a great horse, and we’ll play the hand we’re dealt to see what we can accomplish.”
Friday’s card also features notable runners like Sugar Fish, a two-time G2 winner making her debut for main trainer Saffy Joseph Jr., as well as Anna’s Promise and Cassiar, who placed second and third respectively in last year’s Gulfstream Park Oaks. Other contenders include 2025 Game Face Winner Luvmorgan, Fedde, and Godolphin’s homebred Contralee, who recently won over the same course and distance on January 8.
Five G has been training at Palm Beach Downs with three workouts since late January, her most recent being a half-mile in 49.04 seconds on February 6. She will break from post four and be ridden by Hall of Famer John Velasquez, carrying the co-top weight of 123 pounds. “She’s been training strongly,” Gatzas said. “We’re eager to get her back racing and see how she responds.”
The Friday Rainbow 6 jackpot pool is estimated at $600,000 after no winner emerged during Thursday’s 10-race series at Gulfstream. Post time for the first race is 12:20 p.m.
The Rainbow 6 saw significant payouts during the Pegasus World Cup meet, with multiple mandatory payments of $71,527 each on January 24. Since the championship began on November 27, the highest jackpot payout has been $416,348 on January 8.
The jackpot is only awarded if a single unique ticket hits all six winners; if not, 70% of that day’s pool is returned to the bettor with the highest winnings, and 30% rolls over to the next day’s jackpot. Another mandatory payout is scheduled for Sunday, with the pool potentially reaching $5 million if unresolved.
Friday’s Rainbow 6 covers races 5 through 10. Notable entrants include Shipmate, the winner of his first Tapeta race on November 15, who will race in an optional allowance for three-year-olds over 5 1/2 furlongs on the all-weather Tapeta course. Itzarock, second in a five-furlong turf dash on January 9, is also in the lineup.
Meanwhile, Florida-bred fillies and mares aged four and up will compete in a five-furlong turf sprint with an option to claim a subsidy in Race 9. Seven-year-old Hair to the Roar seeks her 10th career win in her 32nd start. Wildly Speedy, the debut winner on this course and distance last February, and Baby Brox, who recently finished second by four lengths, are also entered.
This feature race highlights an optional allowance for older fillies and mares running one mile on the main track, featuring Five G, the 2025 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) winner. Sugar Fish, Anna’s Promise, and Cassiar—all notable competitors—will also run, as well as stakes winner Rube Morgan, Fedde, and Contralee, a winner in the prior race.
This article was originally published by Paulick Report on February 12, 2026 and appeared in the News section.
Fan Take: Five G’s return to Gulfstream marks a pivotal moment for a talented filly whose career has faced setbacks but shines with promise. For horse racing fans, her progress signals the excitement of seeing a potential star regain form while the substantial Rainbow 6 jackpot adds extra thrill and engagement to Gulfstream’s stakes action.
