Richard the Great sizzles in Trinniberg

Arindel’s Richard the Great sizzled his way to a 7 ½-length triumph in Saturday’s $50,000 Trinniberg Handicap at Gulfstream Park, continuing to realize the potential he showed early in his career.

The Stanley Gold-trained 5-year-old son of Distorted Humor broke on top and sped away from his rivals to complete the seven-furlong distance in a brilliant 1:21.06 under Emisael Jaramillo.

The Arindel homebred ($8.60) was making his fifth start for Gold in his comeback from a 15-month layoff while notching his second straight triumph. The Florida-bred, who won his first two career starts by open lengths as a 2-year-old before going off form, set fractions of 23.20 seconds, 45.50 and 1:08.53 on his way to a final clocking that was .49 off the track record set by Clearly Now [120.17] April 1.

“I didn’t give [Jaramillo] any instructions. I train; he rides,” Gold said. “At first I wasn’t happy he was in front because I thought, ‘Oh, no. He isn’t going to finish.’ But he had a snug hold on him and took a hold of him. He let him go when they came at him. When he drew away from them I knew it was over.”

Indian Guide picked up second money, finishing 1 ¾ lengths ahead of Dream Saturday. French Quarter, the 9-5 favorite who finished a half-length behind Richard the Great last time out, finished fourth after making a brief challenge on the turn into the homestretch.