J P's Gusto Tries Two Turns in Norfolk
J.P’s Gusto, who has won four stakes in a row for owner Gem Stable and trainer David Hofmans, will make his first venture past seven furlongs in the Norfolk.
The 2-year-old Successful Appeal colt and the Caller I.D. mare Call Her Magic will have six opponents in the 1 1/16 mile race over Cushion Track.
After winning the Willard Proctor Memorial and Hollywood Juvenile Championship earlier in the year at Hollywood Park, J P’s Gusto took the Best Pal and Del Mar Futurity at Del Mar. He has won four of five and earned $337,360.
Three of his rivals are also coming off wins. Acaffella, a Mr. Greeley colt out of the Saint Ballado mare Special Ballad, earned his maiden victory by six lengths in the Angel Island Stakes on Sept. 11 at Golden Gate.He has a win and a second in two starts for Spendthrift Farm LLC and Mandella and has earned $40,750.
Boxeur des Rues won a maiden race worth $6,082 at first asking in England, then was privately purchased by O’Neill for Reddam. He’s a son of Smart Strike and the Caerleon mare Marseille Express.
A son of Cryptoclearance and the Forest Wildcat mare Javelina, Clearance Clarence defeated $32,000 maiden claimers in his second start on Sept. 2 at Del Mar. He’s earned $14,200 for owner John Petrig and trainer George Papaprodromou.
Lucky Mr. K, Riveting Reason and Del Mar Futurity runner-up Jaycito are also scheduled to compete.
From inside out, the field for the 41st Norfolk: J P’s Gusto, Patrick Valenzuela rides, 122 pounds; Clearance Clarence, Corey Nakatani, 122; Boxeur des Rues, Rafael Bejarano, 122; Lucky Mr. K, Joe Talamo, 122; Acaffella, Russell Baze, 122; Riveting Reason, Victor Espinoza, 122 and Jaycito, Mike Smith, 122.