Gulfstream’s leading rider Gaffalione gets first Derby mount in Patch

Gulfstream Park’s leading rider Tyler Gaffalione has his first mount in the Kentucky Derby (G1) when he rides Louisiana Derby (G2) runner-up Patch Saturday at Churchill Downs.

 

“It’s a dream come true,” said the 22-year-old, whose father Steve was a jockey and winner of more than 800 races. “Everyone says it, but from such an early age it’s all I ever thought about it. Just to be here, it’s an amazing opportunity.”

 

Patch, trained by Todd Pletcher, who has won Gulfstream’s Championship Meet title the past 14 consecutive years, broke his maiden at Gulfstream under jockey John Velazquez Feb. 18. The son of Union Rags was then sent to Fair Grounds where he finished second behind Girvin in the Louisiana Derby.

 

“The horse was a little green, it was his first time around two turns, but he handled it well and finished well down the lane,” Gaffalione said.

 

Gaffalione said he has a group of 12 family members and friends that will travel to Louisville for the race.

 

Meanwhile, Gaffalione won three races Wednesday. He rode both ends of the early double with Smart Romance ($2.60) in the first race and Tempter ($4.80) in the second and the sixth with Diaz ($7.60).

 

           

Siena Farm LLC’s homebred Admiral Jimmy, a 2-year-old by Jimmy Creed, won at first asking Wednesday, equaling the track record for 4 ½ furlongs of :51.07, set by multiple graded-stakes winner Awesome Banner in 2015.

 

Admiral Jimmy stalked Kingston Pike down the backstretch before pulling alongside the pacesetter entering the turn and pulling away down the stretch to a 3 ½-length victory.

 

Awesome Banner, winner of the 2015 Swale (G2) and Hutcheson (G3), is currently training at Laurel Park. He hasn’t raced since finishing ninth in April in the Carter (G1) at Aqueduct.

 
Source: Gulfstream Park