Barbadian trainer extends lead with double at Gulfstream Park

Ace Barbadian trainer Saffie Joseph Jr continued his dominance and extended his lead with a double on Sunday’s race programme at the Gulfstream Park racetrack in the United States.

The 36-year-old now has 21 wins for the spring–summer season—which opened on April 4 and closes on September 29—and he is eight clear of his nearest rivals at the main racing facility in the state of Florida.

Joseph saddled the 2-5 favourite Proverb that won by three lengths under leading jockey Edgard Zayas in the US$25 000 starter optional, claiming fourth race over seven furlongs on the dirt course.

Zayas put Proverb in a stalking position in the three-path and coaxed his mount along around the turn before the eight-year-old chestnut horse floated out to the six-path at the top of the lane. The ol’ boy drew past the inside pacesetter around the sixteenth pole to finish in one minute, 24.28 seconds.

Joseph also prepared the 5-2 bet Shankar, which won by 3-3/4 lengths under Zayas in the US$23 000, claiming the sixth race over 1 670 metres on the all-weather track.

Shankar stalked in the five-path, and Zayas produced his mount in the three-path midway around the far turn before the four-year-old chestnut gelding swept into the lead at the top of the lane and drew clear for a time of 1 min, 41.02 secs. (CMC)