Jockey Eclipse Finalists All Win at Gulfstream
Though only one of them will walk away with the coveted trophy this weekend, each of the three Eclipse Award finalists for top jockey found success at Gulfstream Park on Thursday.
Two-time Eclipse Award winner and Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez, defending Eclipse winner Javier Castellano and back-to-back finalist Joel Rosario all came away winners during the 10-race card.
The 44th Eclipse Awards dinner and ceremony will be hosted for the third consecutive year on Saturday in Gulfstream’s Sport of Kings Theater.
Velazquez, 43, won the Eclipse Award in 2005 and 2006. Also nominated last year, he rode even-money favorite Got Lucky to victory in the fifth race.
“I’m just glad to be a part of it, really,” Velazquez said. “I was telling someone the other day I feel like Susan Lucci being nominated so many times. Thank God I did win it a long time ago. I’m definitely very proud to be in the mix for as long as I’ve been doing this. I’m very happy with it.”
Castellano’s record-setting season earned him his first Eclipse Award last year. The three-time defending Championship Meet leading rider, who tops the standings again this winter, won with Dad’z Laugh in the opener and One Penny Piece in the eighth.
“I’m honored to be nominated once again this year. I’m very lucky and blessed,” Castellano, 37, said. “I’m very fortunate to be around the best jockeys in the country and be competitive all year.”
Rosario was winless on Wednesday, his 30th birthday, but guided Curlin’s Gem to a maiden-breaking triumph in the fourth race and subbed for injured Orlando Bocachica to win the seventh on Race and Shine. He is still looking for his first Eclipse Award.
“That’s something very special. You’re already a winner just to be nominated,” Rosario said. “I’m happy to be there with Javy and Johnny and I’m very excited. I can’t wait to see how it comes out.”
Got Lucky Shows Class in Allowance Victory
Multiple graded stakes-placed Got Lucky exerted her class edge to run down pacesetting Souper Scoop and capture her 4-year-old debut by a length.
The even-money favorite in a field of seven, Got Lucky ($4) ran one mile in 1:36.11 over a fast main track in the $50,000 optional claiming allowance. It was only the second start in her last seven races not coming in a graded stakes.
“It worked out really well,” Velazquez said. “She broke a little to the outside the first two jumps out of there, but kind of gathered herself right away and she was closer than I thought she’d be in the first part of the race. I didn’t want to take away what she was doing pretty easily. After we got by the half-mile pole I just tried to keep her busy. The horse in front was going pretty easy so I thought I better put on a little bit of pressure. Once I got to her she kind of got away from her little by little.”
Trained by Todd Pletcher, Got Lucky broke her maiden last January at Gulfstream going one mile. She was second in the Demoiselle (G2) at 2 and the Rachel Alexandra (G3) and Gazelle (G3) last year prior to an allowance victory at Saratoga. All three of her wins have come with Velazquez aboard.
“She’s a little older now and I liked the way she ran today, being a little closer to the pace instead of being way back where you have to chase all the way around,” he said. “I think if she continues the way she is, she’ll probably be better.”
Curlin’s Gem Earns Maiden Win
Rosario’s first win of the day came with 4-year-old Curlin’s Gem, a bay son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin making his seventh career start. Bred and owned by Martin Cherry, the even-money favorite rated off the pace before taking over at the top of the stretch and drawing away to a three-length victory in 1:10.63 for six furlongs.
"He got out of the gate good, but it took him a little time to get into the race,” Rosario said. “After that, he did the job. I was happy when he broke well and I was following the horse on the lead. He was second on the turn and then he just took care of the rest.”
Who’s Hot: Joel Rosario rode a pair of favorites to victory, Curlin’s Gem ($4) in the fourth race and Race and Shine ($5.80) in the seventh. Javier Castellano also found the winner’s circle twice, with Dad’z Laugh ($6) in the first and One Penny Piece ($7.60) in the eighth.
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Source: Gulfstream Park