Gulfstream Report: Golden Jason Wins Turf Feature

 
     

Staff Report

Thursday, July 24 -- Golden Jason led gate to wire and  beat Drover Road  by 3 ½ lengths  in today’s feature race at Gulfstream Park.

The 4-year-old colt won the $40,000 one mile turf race in 1:36.30 over a course listed as firm.  As the 8-5 second choice, he paid $5.20, $3.60 and $3.20.

The win was the second in a row for Golden Jason at Gulfstream. On June 22, he won a seven furlong dirt race--again showing early speed.

In today’s turf race, Tale of the Heart finished third followed by the 7-5 favorite Tenth Star.

Jose Valdivia Jr.  rode Golden Jason in both races.

On June 15 at Gulfstream, Tenth  Star rallied down the stretch to win a 1 1/16 mile $25,000 optional claimer on turf. Golden Jason finished third after racing in second place most of the way.

The difference in the rematch was that Golden Jason was able to set a comfortable pace with fractions of :25.10 and :49.26 for the first half mile before pulling away to victory.

Edward Coletti, Jr., Golden Jason’s trainer, said he chose Thursday’s race based more on race conditions than surface.  It was a $62,500  optional claimer for horses that had never won two races other than maiden, starter or claiming races.      

“He runs just as well on the turf as he does on dirt. The two-other-thans don’t come around too often, and the mile (distance) was good,” Coletti said.

Unless his trainer can find another condition, Golden Jason is likely to return in a stakes race on turf or dirt.

Golden Jason, a son of Kitten’s Joy, is owned by Olympia Star Inc. He has three wins in 13 career starts, hitting the board in all but three races. Those were turf stakes last year--two at Monmouth Park and one at Arlington Park,


Rainbow 6:  There were multiple winning tickets on the Rainbow 6, with each receiving a payoff of  $2,553.44.

This  Quay Home, at 3-1, won by a nose over the late-running Afleet Allie, at 9-2, in the ninth and  final race.

By the Numbers: There were 79 starters in today’s nine races,  for an average of 8.8.   All-sources handle was $2,671,805.

Since July 1 and  the  end of head-to-head weekend racing against Calder  Casino &  Race Course, Gulfstream has been  averaging 9.3 starters per race and almost $4.0 million in daily handle.

Thursday is usually Gulfstream’s lowest handle day because  it has nine races,  compared with ten on Friday and  Sunday and 11 on  Saturday.

What’s  Ahead: Gulfstream will have  ten  races on Friday with first post of 1:15 p.m.

On Saturday, the feature will be the $75,000 Eight Miles East at 1 1/16 miles on turf for 3-year-olds and up.