Joseph dominates Sunshine meet again

Saffie Joseph Jr extended his impressive winning streak at Gulfstream Park by capturing his 14th consecutive championship meet title when the Sunshine Meet concluded over the weekend.

The ace Barbadian trainer, who has won 14 graded stakes this year, won the Sunshine Meet title with 34 victories from his 143 starts, eight more than second-placed Jose D’Angelo.

Joseph ended the meet with earnings of US$1 332 480.

He clinched the title after four-year-old colt Message of Hope, with apprentice Micah Husbands in the saddle, won Sunday’s second race that went 1700 metres in a time of 1:43.85.

An elated Joseph afterwards thanked God for his achievement.

“It never gets old. Actually, like a month ago, we were down six or seven. I looked at it and said, ‘Ooooh, we’ll give it a go and see if it can work out.’

“The horses got in form, and it worked out. All the credit goes to the horses. All praise to God and the workers and the owners who give me the horses. I’m a small part of it,” Joseph said.

Meanwhile, Edgard Zayas secured his 10th riding title and third in five years, ending the meet with 44 victories to pip Miguel Vasquez, who rode 42 winners.

“It feels great. It’s been a great year,” Zayas said. “We’ve been getting a lot of support from all the trainers, owners, my agent and family. It’s nice to get it done again, especially right before the Championship Meet. It’s a really important meet and it’s nice to have that momentum.”

(CMC)