Edited Gulfstream Release – The parade of impressive Todd Pletcher-trained maiden special weight winners into Gulfstream Park’s winner’s circle continued Sunday following a sharp debut score by Shadwell Stable’s Zaajel.
The homebred daughter of Street Sense ($8.20) drew off to a 7 ¼-length victory in Race 7, a seven-furlong sprint for 2-year-old fillies.
“She’d been training forwardly. She was a half-step slow from the gate the other morning – she tossed her head a little at the break. We stood her a few times and she was good, so we went ahead and ran her today, thinking she was ready to go,” Pletcher said. “Seven furlongs is a good starting point for her.”
Zaajel stalked the early pace set by Mail Order, a debuting son of Liam’s Map for trainer Bill Mott, before making a move on the turn to take the lead at the top of the stretch and drawing away to a comfortable win under Luis Saez.
“We’ll play it by ear. She’s clearly a filly that wants more distance. That’s always exciting when you have one break their maiden at a shorter distance,” Pletcher said.
Zaajel ran seven furlongs in 1:23.81 to prevail over Pletcher-trained Unbridled d’Oro, the 2-1 favorite who closed from 10th to finish second under Irad Ortiz Jr.
Pletcher, who is seeking to capture his 17th Championship Meet title, has enjoyed early-season success with debut winners, including WinStar Farm LLC and CHC Inc.’s Prime Factor, a highly promising juvenile son of Quality Road who scored by 8 ¾ lengths Dec. 12, and Shadwell’s Arham, a 3-year-old son of Union Rags who graduated by eight lengths on Wednesday. Pletcher also scored on Dec. 12 with Donegal Racing’s Donegal Bay, a juvenile son of Uncle Mo who graduated by 4 ¼ lengths.
Wednesday’s Rainbow 6 Jackpot Pool Guaranteed at $150,000
The 20-cent Rainbow 6 jackpot pool will be guaranteed at $150,000 Wednesday at Gulfstream Park.
The popular multi-race wager went unsolved Sunday following Saturday’s mandatory payout. Multiple tickets with all six winners were each worth $2,869.44.
There will also be a Super Hi-5 carryover Wednesday of $3,674.66.
The jackpot pool is only paid out when there is a single unique ticket sold with all six winners. On days when there is no unique ticket, 70 percent of that day’s pool goes back to those bettors holding tickets with the most winners, while 30 percent is carried over to the jackpot pool.
WHO’S HOT: Tyler Gaffalione, who rode four winners Saturday, came right back to win three races on Sunday. Gaffalione, who rode Sleepy Eyes Todd to victory in Saturday’s $100,000 Mr. Prospector (G3), scored aboard Nitro Time ($4.80) in Race 1, Comp’d ($25) in Race 4 and Digital Footprint ($5.90) in Race 6.
Luis Saez doubled notched back-to-back victories aboard Zaajel ($8.20) in Race 7 and Omnia ($17.60) in Race 8. Edgard Zayas also rode a pair of winners, scoring aboard No Que No ($19) in Race 3 and Scar ($16.80) in Race 9
