Joseph extends Gulfstream lead

Star jockey Edgard Zayas rode yet another winner at the weekend, saddling Sunroof to a win at the Royal Palm Meet, and picking up a 71st win for Barbadian trainer, Saffie Joseph Jr. Owned by Skymac Stables LLC and Stefania Farms LLC, Sunroof claimed a purse of USD $8 000.

This was one of three wins for Joseph at Gulfstream Park in southern Florida. The 37-year-old continued to run away from the field, having also tasted victory in the opening race with Andrea. He then earned a 72nd win with No Mo Candy.

Joseph is now a full 40 wins clear in the standings, Jose Francisco D’Angelo having picked up only 32 titles at Gulfstream this year.

The former Barbados Triple Crown winner has already eclipsed his 2023 win total by six. Last season, he was 11 clear of D’Angelo.

Joseph opened his account in a 5-½ furlong sprint when Emisael Jaramillo carried the brown filly Andrea to a 6-½ length crushing of the two-year-old maiden fillies in a front-running performance.

Six-to-one chance Neodera challenged briefly at the half-way stage but Andrea pulled away in the stretch to win going away.

Sunroof, a five-year-old bay mare, posted a 1-½ length win over the three-year-old and upward fillies and mares.

Going a mile and 70 yards, Good Bright Flames and My Royal Vow duelled through fractions of 25.70 seconds, 51.52 and 1:15.95 before Zayas bid on the far turn and reeled in the leaders in the stretch.

Zayas was in the saddle yet again for Joseph’s third win, guiding three-year-old bay filly No Mo Candy to a narrow victory over the three-year-old and upward maiden fillies and mares, going a mile and sixteenth.

No Mo Candy stalked pacesetter Tap My Belle, bid on the turn and grabbed the lead passing the eighth pole before holding on to win by a neck.

(CMC)