Gaffalione aims to 'make a good impression' at first Saratoga meet
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A week into his first full-time foray at Saratoga, widely regarded as the most competitive race meet in the country for horses and jockeys alike, Tyler Gaffalione is feeling right at home.
The Eclipse Award-winning apprentice for 2015 was born and raised in Davie, Florida, and rose to prominence at nearby Gulfstream Park. His star has continued its ascent, reaching new heights with his first American Classic victory aboard Gary Barber's War of Will in the Preakness May 18 at Pimlico Race Course.
Gaffalione, 24, will climb back on Mark Casse-trained
War of Will next Saturday for the Grade 2, $600,000
Jim Dandy, marking their eighth straight race together dating back to a five-length maiden triumph last November at Churchill Downs.
"He's always been special. Even before the Preakness, I fell in love with him the first time I got on him," Gaffalione said. "I go and see him on the dark days and, even this morning when I got done, I stopped by to see him.
"He's just a very special horse to me and I can't thank Gary and Mark enough just to give me the opportunity to work with him. I'm very blessed."
Entering Friday's card, Gaffalione had two wins from 21 starters this summer at Saratoga, which opened its 40-day stand July 11. He was first with Conquest Hardcandy on July 12 and maiden Call Me Harry on July 14 for trainers James Ryerson and Kelsey Danner, respectively.
Though off to a slow start by his standards, Gaffalione said it was similar to when he first ventured to Kentucky full-time and wound up leading the rider standings at both Churchill Downs and Keeneland last fall.
"Just breaking into a new circuit, kind of like when we made the move to Kentucky it was a little slow at first but we're just going to keep continuing to work hard and hopefully catch a couple breaks in the afternoon and try and win as many races as possible but have a good attitude about it," Gaffalione said. "It's exciting. It's the place to be and very competitive, so I'm just enjoying everything about it.
"It's going great," he added. "I've really enjoyed being here. The people have been very friendly, very welcoming. Beautiful weather, great racing ... I'm just looking forward to the rest of the meet."
In Saratoga, Gaffalione is up against a riding colony similar to the Championship Meet at Gulfstream Park, where he ranks as one of the leading riders every winter. Represented by agent Matt Muzikar, a Saratoga native, Gaffalione plans to return to South Florida again after stops at Kentucky Downs, Churchill and Keeneland.
"I'd just like to make a good impression on everyone here," Gaffalione said. "By the end of the meet, I'd just like to look back and have it be a positive memory. Hopefully we can build on it and keep moving forward."
On Thursday evening, Gaffalione was a guest of the
At The Post Live-Serling on Saratoga radio show hosted by Andy Serling. The episode, which also includes Maggie Wolfendale and Kiaran McLaughlin, is available for download on
Across the Board with Andy Serling podcast.
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