Barbados Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr Wins Big at Sunshine Meet with Three Impressive Victories

Fresh off winning the summer trainer’s title, his 10th in a row, Barbados’ Saffie Joseph Jr got three more victories at Saturday’s Sunshine Meet. Edgar Zayas rode two-year-old filly R Morning Brew to victory in the 1200-metre $100 000 FTBOA Florida Sire Desert Vixen Stakes.

Drayden van Dyke guided Lorenz, a six-year-old bay gelding to first place in the 1600-metre $75 000 Handicap.

Then Sklyer Spanabel took All Class, a four-year-old bay filly, to get the gold in the 1400-metre Allowance Optional sprint.

Meanwhile, Honor D Lady, winner of two graded stakes this year, returned to the work tab Tuesday morning after a month’s absence.

The 4-year-old Honor Code filly hasn’t raced since winning the Grade 2 Delaware Handicap on July 7 for the 37-year-old Joseph. She started the year with a win in the Royal Delta (G3), then was ninth in the Apple Blossom (G1) and second in the listed Lady’s Secret.

Honor D Lady breezed three furlongs at Saratoga on Tuesday, slower of two works at the distance. It was her first work since August 8, and she also had two drills in July after the Delaware Handicap.

Joseph told Horse Racing Nation on Tuesday that she most likely will return at Keeneland’s fall meet.

She was one of five graded-stakes winners with published works Tuesday.

Honor D Lady (Honor Code), a Grade 2 winner (2024 Delaware Handicap), worked three furlongs in 36.2 seconds at Saratoga on Tuesday morning. It was the slower of two works at the distance. Her previous work was 33 days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start she won the Delaware Handicap (G2) going 1 3/16 miles on the main track at Delaware Park on July 7 for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.

Manny Wah (Will Take Charge), a Grade 2 winner (2022 Phoenix), worked three furlongs in 36.6 seconds at The Thoroughbred Center on Tuesday morning. It was the fourth fastest of 15 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at The Thoroughbred Center. In his last start he placed third in an allowance race going 5 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Belterra Park on Aug. 28 for trainer John Ennis.

Trademark (Upstart), a Grade 2 winner (2023 Clark), worked five furlongs in 1:00.6 at Keeneland on Tuesday morning. It was the second fastest of nine works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago, going five furlongs at Keeneland. In his last start he placed sixth in the Michael G. Schaefer Memorial going one mile and 70 yards on the main track at Horseshoe Indianapolis on July 6 for trainer Vicki Oliver.

Big City Lights (Mr Big), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Palos Verdes), worked three furlongs in 36.0 seconds at Del Mar on Tuesday morning. It was the fastest of 16 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed third in the Pat O’Brien (G2) going seven furlongs on the main track at Del Mar on Aug. 24 for trainer Richard Mandella

Kopion (Omaha Beach), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Santa Ynez), worked three furlongs in 36.8 seconds at Del Mar on Tuesday morning. It was the second fastest of 16 works at the distance. Her previous work was 12 days ago going two furlongs at Del Mar. In her last start she placed fourth in the Santa Anita Oaks (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on April 6 for trainer Richard Mandella.

(Horse Racing Nation)