Lynn’s Milky Way, Owner, Have Bright Futures

Wednesday’s Rainbow 6 Jackpot Pool Estimated at $150,000
First-Race Post Time Moves to 12:50 p.m. Wednesday

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Smith Ranch Stables’ Lynn’s Milky Way drew off to a dominating eight-length victory Sunday at Gulfstream Park, sparking a most spirited post-race celebration in the winner’s circle.

Lynn Smith, who owns the 3-year-old daughter of Volatile with her husband Dana, certainly had reasons to celebrate.

Lynn’s Milky Way stamped herself as a filly with a big future with her thoroughly professional performance while more than living up to her 3-5 favoritism under Irad Ortiz Jr.

The future also looks mighty bright for her owner.

“I had Stage 1 breast cancer. I’m in remission now. Look, my hair is coming back!” Lynn Smith said while lifting her ballcap to reveal her newly grown hair. “I got diagnosed January a year ago. I started Chemo Feb. 1, and I ended in May. Now I’m just having infusions every 21 days until the end of May.”

Lynn’s Milky Way, a $60,000 yearling purchase at the 2023 Keeneland September sale, debuted at Gulfstream Nov. 22 with an 11-length romp in a six-furlong $50,000 maiden claiming race. She came back to finish second after showing the way in the seven-furlong Gasparilla Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs Jan. 11 in her most recent start.

Sunday, Lynn’s Milky Way chased the pace in third along the backstretch after veering to the outside leaving her outside post position. The Luis Ramirez-trained filly gained ground along the backstretch and far turn before pulling alongside the leader and continuing on to a comfortable score in the 5 ½-furlong starter optional claiming event carded as Race 6.

“This keeps me going,” Lynn Smith said gleefully after planting several kisses on her winning filly’s snout before she was led out of the winner’s circle. “It’s amazing. I pinch myself all the time, and she’s so sweet.”

She couldn’t be prouder of her namesake’s success.

“My name’s Lynn. When I bought her, she had this really unique birthmark – a white mark that looks like the Milky Way -- so I named her Lynn’s Milky Way,” she said.

Although Lynn’s Milky Way’s rousing victory Sunday will certainly prompt many phone calls from prospective buyers, it’s highly doubtful that Lynn Smith will let her out of her sight.

“You never let your wife name a horse after herself, because she’s never going to sell it,” said Dana Smith with a chuckle.

‘Never,’ Lynn Smith quickly retorted.

The Smiths, who reside in Lighthouse Point, FL and Hagerstown, MD, have owned horses since 2017 and currently have 10 in their stable.

Wednesday’s Rainbow 6 Jackpot Pool Estimated at $150,000

The 20-cent Rainbow 6 went unsolved Sunday following Saturday’s mandatory payout that yielded multiple jackpot payoffs of $164,292.76.

The popular multi-race wager’s jackpot pool is expected to grow to an estimated $150,000 Wednesday, when first-race post time for a nine-race program will get underway at 12:50 p.m.

Wednesday’s Rainbow 6 sequence will span Races 4-9, featuring a mile starter allowance in which Jose Gallegos-trained Santos to Wilson will seek his third victory from four starts since arriving from Del Mar. The 7-year-old son of Gemologist is coming off a 7 ½-length romp against $12,500 claimers going a mile.

Who’s Hot: Paco Lopez followed up a four-win Saturday with two wins Sunday, scoring aboard Confer ($17.20) in Race 5 and No Evidence ($5.60) in Race 10.

Irad Ortiz Jr. doubled aboard St. Olaf Rose ($3.60) in Race 2 and Lynn’s Milky Way ($3.40) in Race 6.