The 26-year-old native of Terra Blanca, Veracruz, Mexico swept the daily double with Olympist ($3) in the first and Sheik Polis ($10.20) in the second. He also got home first aboard Devilish Silver ($5.40 in the third before finishing second aboard 22-1 longshot Romantic Juliet in the sixth race.
“This year Castellano and Johnny are doing much better. I’ve had a couple suspensions that hurt me, but I’m just trying to win as many races as I can,” Lopez said.
Quote of the Day: “She seemed like she ran decent last time, and she was cutting back from a mile. She looked like she was competitive in her races before that. I gave her her head at the start and got after her to finish,” said Jozbin Santana, who rode longshot Countess Emma to a 1 ½ length victory in the sixth race, worth $154.60 for a $2 win ticket.
Work of the Day: Shug McGaughey-trained Air Support returned to the workout tab at Gulfstream Park. The 4-year-old son of Smart Strike, who has not run since capturing the $600,000 Virginia Derby (G2) at Colonial Downs last July, breezed an easy half-mile in 52 1/5 seconds.
Who’s Hot: Jose Lezcano visited the winner’s circle back-to-back with Fog Happens ($18.20) in the eighth and Quantity ($6.20) in the ninth.
10-cent Rainbow 6 carryover: $4,722.1
Super Hi 5 Paid: $39,674.20