Wellingtons Appeal Shows the Way at Gulfstream
Wellingtons Appeal broke sharply from an outside post position to grab an early lead that she would never relinquish on her way to a ¾-length victory in Thursday’s $50,000 featured eighth race at Gulfstream Park.
The 6-year-old mare had finished a tiring sixth in her first start over the Gulfstream Park turf course after arriving in trainer Jorge Navarro's stable from Parx Racing.
“When she came in from Philadelphia she had a week off, so I don’t think she was really ready for the race,” Navarro said. “But she has been training super for this race. I think she needed the race last time out.”
Ridden by Orlando Bocachica in the second-level optional claiming allowance, Wellingtons Appeal ran five-furlongs in 55.74 seconds to record her fifth victory in 12 starts at the distance on turf.
Navarro plans to keep the daughter of Half Ours in turf sprints, hopefully in a stakes.
Wellingtons Appeal was sent to post as the 7-1 fourth choice. Indian Splendor, the 5-2 second choice ridden by Gabriel Saez, finished second, 2 ¾ lengths ahead of It’s Saturday Nite and jockey Jose Caraballo. Zamquick, the 5-2 favorite ridden by Corey Lanerie, finished another nose back in fourth.
Who’s Hot: Jockey Edgard Zayas returned to the Gulfstream Park winner’s circle on his first day back from a 10-day suspension, scoring aboard Al’s Gal ($12.60) in the fifth race. Zayas, who captured the Gulfstream summer and Gulfstream Park West titles, was holding a narrow lead in the Gulfstream Park’s Championship Meet standings at the time of his suspension.
Paco Lopez doubled aboard Artsy ($3.60) in the first and Wine Burgler ($4.60) in the ninth. Javier Castellano also visited the winner’s circle twice, scoring with Sister in Arms ($4.40) in the seventh and Black Martino ($3.80) in the 10th.
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Source: Gulfstream Park