Trainer Joseph Jr. saddles two winners

HALLANDALE BEACH, Florida – Barbadian trainer Saffie Joseph Jr won twice at Gulfstream Park yesterday to maintain his narrow lead in the newly-minted Spring-Summer meet.

The 34-year-old tasted success in the US$39 000 race four with favourite Batter Up Bud before returning to the winners’ enclosure in the $26 000 race six with another favourite Dreaming of Audrey – both scores coming with jockey Junior Alvarado.

Joseph, fresh from his first-ever capture of the Championship Meet earlier this month, has eight wins from 33 starts to be two clear of J. Kent Sweezey, with Mark Casse one back in third.

A rising star on the United east coast, Joseph opened his account over a mile when Alvarado guided the three-year-old bay gelding Batter Up Bud to a narrow victory over the three-year-old and upward maidens.

Romero Maragh put 7-2 choice Reddington to the front to hammer out easy fractions of 23.67 seconds for the quarter and 46.70 for the half, 8-5 bet Batter Up Bud stalking from second and Bold Play and Leopardi within striking distance.

Alvarado brought Batter Up Bud to challenge off the final turn, sparking a duel down the lane which they won on a head bob.

Joseph’s second win came in a five furlong sprint for the three, four-year-old and upward fillies and mares, Alvarado partnering with Dreaming of Audrey to win by half-length.

The four-year-old bay filly was last away from the gates as 9-5 bet Illogical Love stormed to the lead to produce an opening split of 21.98.

Lovin Makes Cents and Rock Along chased in tandem from second while Jet Force chased the trio from two lengths back.

Once in the stretch, Lovin Makes Cents came to challenge Illogical Love but Alvardo produced a turn of speed on the outside with Dreaming of Audrey, surging to front before holding off War of Ages to take the wire first. (CMC)