Ace Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr Extends Lead with Dominant Wins at Gulfstream Park
June 1, 2024
Barbadian trainer Saffie Joseph Jr extends lead in trainers’ championship at Gulfstream Park with dominant performance, securing three wins on the eight-race card. Leading by 11 wins over nearest rival.
Ace Barbadian trainer Saffie Joseph Jr further extended his lead into double figures in the trainers’ championship with a dominant performance on Thursday’s eight-race card at the Gulfstream Park racetrack in the United States.
The 36-year-old grabbed a “trifecta” of wins on the eight-race card and moved his aggregate to 27 at the main racing facility in Florida for the spring-summer season – which opened on April 4 and closes on September 29 – and he is now 11 clear of his nearest rival.
Joseph saddled the 8-5 favourite Palmetto Fury that won by a comfortable 5-1/2 lengths under Edwin Gonzalez in the US$36 000 maiden claiming the first race for maidens, fillies, and mares three years old and upward over six furlongs on the dirt course.
Palmetto Fury set the pace and Gonzalez drew off the three-year-old, bay filly through the final straight and rode her out to finish in one minute, 11.07 seconds – 2.95 off the track record.
Joseph also prepared 6-5 favourite American of Course that won by four lengths under stable jockey and track leading reinsman Edgard Zayas in the US$37 000 claiming the third race that was run over 1 100 metres on the all-weather course.
In the race for fillies three years old, or fillies and mares four years old and upward, which have never won three races, or which have never won a race since November 30 last year, American of Course, set the pace in the two path and drew off under a drive to clock 1 min, 03.09 secs – 1.48 off the track record.
Joseph also saddled raging hot favourite Thirty Pound Test that won by 3-1/4 lengths under Zayas in the US$60 000 maiden special weight fifth race for maidens, three years old and upward, contested over 1 300 metres on the dirt course.
Thirty Pound Test broke in and bumped Ajaayb – ridden by Jose Morelos – at the start, but quickly recovered and sped to the front to set a pressured pace along the rail.
Zayas shook the three-year-old, grey gelding clear in the upper stretch, and she widened her lead under a drive and finished in 1:17.07 – 2.63 off the track record.
(CMC)
