Gritty Jay’s Way battles back to win Sunshine Millions Classic

By Jonathan Lintner

Jay’s Way, who gave up the lead only re-rally for a win in his previous start at Gulfstream Park, did the same Saturday on a larger stage.

The 5-year-old horse by Gone Astray fought back to pass favored Mr. Jordan and take the $200,000 Sunshine Millions Classic for Florida-breds with a thrilling stretch run.

J Boys Echo, once a Kentucky Derby runner, was the victim of Jay’s Way’s late effort in a Dec. 26 allowance-level race. This time, just when Mr. Jordan appeared poised to run away with the Saturday feature, the Armando De La Cerda trainee struck again with a half-length score.

"I know this horse likes the competition," De La Cerda said, "so when he saw the 5 horse (Mr. Jordan) come next to him, and that horse quit, I said, 'Well, I hope he keeps going like last time.'"

And so he did.

It was an otherwise front-running effort for the son of Gone Astray, who set opening fractions of 23.43 seconds for the quarter mile and 47.50 for the half. Mr. Jordan made a three-wide move through the turn to gain the lead but threw his head up late. Jay’s Way had enough left to regain the lead while finishing up 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.12.

Jockey Emisael Jaramillo had the mount on Jay's Way, who's campaigned by Midwest Thoroughbreds.

Catholic Cowboy ran on for third in the Sunshine Millions' field of six.

Jay’s Way was making his fourth start for De La Cerda since being transferred from trainer Danny Gargan’s stable in New York.

“I think we’ll stay in Florida," De La Cerda said. "There’s good money right here in Florida."