Global Aviator Making Season Debut in G3 Holy Bull

Saturday’s Rainbow 6 Jackpot Pool Estimated at $400,000

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Unraced since a determined debut victory over Thanksgiving weekend, Global Aviator is set to launch his sophomore season in Saturday’s $250,000 Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream Park.

The 1 1/16-mile Holy Bull for 3-year-olds is the second step on Gulfstream’s road to the $1 million Curlin Florida Derby (G1) March 28, preceded by the one-mile Mucho Macho Man Jan. 4. Owner-trainer Rohan Crichton bypassed that race to await this spot.

“He’s doing well,” Crichton said. “I needed a little bit more time than there was between his race and the Mucho Macho Man, but I can’t ask anything more of him. It’s time to go, and he’s ready.”

Global Aviator, who cost Crichton just $12,000 as a yearling, is by Global Campaign, the millionaire winner of the 2020 Woodward (G1) who ran third in that year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). Global Campaign won three of his four career starts at Gulfstream, including a 1 1/16-mile allowance second time out and first around two turns in 2019.

In his lone start, Global Aviator got away slowly in the six-furlong maiden special weight and raced in last, trailing by as many as eight lengths early. Swung wide by jockey Joe Bravo, he continued to make up ground and took a short lead into the stretch, holding on for a neck triumph in 1:10.71.

“I kind of felt that he wanted to go really long,” Crichton said. “I didn’t think he was fully cranked up so I was actually – especially after the start – surprised at how fit he was to use all that energy and still keep going.”

Global Aviator shows five timed works since his race, the most recent an easy half-mile in 51.42 seconds Jan. 24. Rated at 5-1 on the morning line, Bravo gets the return call from Post 4.

“In the mornings he’s learned a whole lot. He’s learned how to be able to take the kickback,” Crichton said. “We’ve done a few things with him, and he’s done well.”

Nearly, a two-time winner at Gulfstream by 14 ¼ combined lengths, is the 9-5 program favorite for the Holy Bull. Cannoneer (2-1) enters the race off a 7 ¼-length maiden triumph Nov. 29 at Churchill Downs. Incredibolt (9-2) debuts at 3 after ending his 2-year-old season with back-to-back wins including the 1 1/16-mile Street Sense (G3). Bravaro is unbeaten in two starts, both against New York-breds, capped by the one-mile Sleepy Hollow Oct. 25 at Aqueduct.

“It’s going to be a good race. It’s not a big field, but it’s big in quality,” Crichton said. “It’s only our second race and the first time going two turns, so we have a lot to learn. Hopefully it works out.”

Saturday’s Rainbow 6 Jackpot Pool Estimated at $400,000

The 20-cent Rainbow 6 jackpot pool is expected to grow to an estimated $400,000 Saturday at Gulfstream Park, where a 12-race program will feature five stakes for 3-year-olds, headlined by the $275,000 Holy Bull (G3).

The Rainbow 6 sequence will span Races 7-12, including four stakes, anchored by the Holy Bull, a 1 1/16-mile prep for the $1 million Curlin Florida Derby (G1) March 28 at Gulfstream.

A 1 3/8-mile optional claiming allowance for 4-year-olds and up on turf will kick off the Rainbow 6 in Race 7. Graham Motion-trained Without, the 9-5 morning-line favorite, will make his U.S. debut against nine rivals after winning one of two starts in France. Trainer Chad Brown will be represented by two entrants including Dirand, who will make his 2026 debut after showing much promise in New York last year. Leading rider Irad Ortiz Jr., who was aboard for Gun Barrel City’s maiden score two starts back, returns on Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher’s trainee.

The S175,000 Swale, a seven-furlongs sprint, will be renewed in Race 8. Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained Solitude Dude, the 6-5 morning-line favorite who is likely to be a popular ‘single,’ will seek to remain undefeated in three starts. Patrick Biancone-trained Diciassette, a two time winner at Gulfstream before facing Grade 1 company at Keeneland in his 2-year-old finale, makes his 2026 debut. Pletcher-trained Class President returns from a promising debut victory at Gulfstream Dec. 27.

A mile optional claiming allowance for 4-year-olds and up on turf figures to challenge Rainbow 6 bettors in Race 9, which drew a well-matched field of 11. Riley Mott-trained Multiverse, who is coming off runner-up finishes in his last three starts, has been tabbed as the 3-1 morning-line favorite. The son of Practical Joke finished second, beaten by a neck, in last year’s Hutcheson. Marty Drexler-trained Ever Dangerous seeks his third straight victory in his 2026 debut after winning his last two at Woodbine with authority. Whitworth Beckman-trained Mary’s Lad will race with blinkers for the first time following a second-place finish in his first start at Gulfstream.

The $175,000 Forward Gal (G3), a seven-furlong sprint for fillies, will follow in Race 10. Brad Cox-trained On Time Girl is the 8-5 favorite in a solid field of eight coming off a victory in the Fern Creek at Churchill Downs in her 2025 finale. Jorge Delgado-trained Mythical, a graded stakes winner with five impressive victories from six starts, looms as a serious win threat.

Brian Lynch-trained Sister Troienne will seek her fifth straight victory and third stakes score of the Championship Meet in Race 11, the $175,000 Sweetest Chant, a 1 1/16-mile stakes for fillies on turf. The daughter of Munnings, the 2-1 favorite in a field of 11, is coming off victories in the Wait a While on Tapeta and the Ginger Brew on turf. Joseph-trained Spirit Doll looms a danger coming off a dominating score in the Our Dear Peggy on turf last time out.

Pletcher-trained Nearly, a two-time winner by a combined 17 ½ lengths during the Championship Meet, is the 9-5 morning-line favorite for his stakes debut in the Holy Bull. Riley Mott-trained Incredibolt makes his 2026 debut after concluding his juvenile campaign with a victory in the Street Sense (G3) at Churchill Downs. Cox-trained Cannoneer has been rated second on the morning line at 2-1 on the strength of his maiden-breaking triumph at Churchill Downs. Joseph-trained Bravaro, the winner of his only two starts at Aqueduct against NY-breds, seeks to remain undefeated.

Who’s Hot: Leading rider Irad Ortiz Jr. doubled aboard Transactional Guy ($11.60) in Race 2 and Blast Radius ($5.60) … Hall of Famer Javier Castellano also rode a pair of winners, scoring aboard Glancing My Way ($9.20) in Race 2 and Midnight Martini ($21.60) in Race 10.