Bodexpress Wins GP West Feature in Near Record for 1 1`/16 Miles

By Jim Freer

You might coin the word "homestaying" for Bodexpress's win in Saturday's feature race on the Calder track at the Gulfstream Park West meet.

Bodexpress led at  every call and pulled away to beat Identifier by 11 1/4 lengths in near track record time in the 1 1/16 mile dirt race.

 The race was a $62,500 optional claimer with  a $44,000 purse. None of the six entrants were in for a tag.

Trainer and part-owner Gustavo Delgado Sr. used the race to prep the 4-year-old Bodexpress for upcoming  stakes races. He is best known for finishing second to Maximum Security in the 2019 Florida Derby (Grade 1) at Gulfstream Park.

Near-Record Time

With Emisael Jaramillo riding, Bodexpress won in 1:42.53 on the track listed as Fast--just off the track record 1:42,52 that Mr. Jordan set in wining the Millions Classic Preview on Nov. 12, 2016.

Bodexpress is stabled with Delgado, and he trains on the Calder track when he isn't traveling around the country to race in graded stakes.

But the 4-year-old son of Bodemeister has raced only three times at Calder/GP  West--winning all three.

Those were Bodexpress's only wins in 16 career starts. He also has four second place finishes and three third place finishes.

Delgado's GDS Stable owns Bodexpress in a partnership with Top Racing LLC and Global  Thoroughbed LLC.

Rematch

Identifier, Saturday's race  was a rematch of the Hal's Hope (Grade 3)  at 1 1/8 miles on dirt at Gulfstream on March  28.

Identifier, at 60-1, won the Hals' Hope by one length over Just Whistle and another half length  over Bodexpress. 

Bodexpress faced several challengers in the Hal's Hope before seeming to take command early in the stretch.  But he was run down by Identifier and Just Whistle, who was not in Saturday's race.

This time, Bodexpress pulled away in the stretch and Jaramillo had him in hand while nearing the finish line.

Glory of Florida finished third, 2 3/4 lengths behind Identifier. Bodexpress was the 2-5 favorite.  Identifier was sent out at 5-1 and Glory of Florida was 21-1.

The 3-2 exacta paid $9.60 for $2 and trhe 3-2-5 trifecta paid $39.60 for $2.

Anxious Moments 

Bodexpress has provided some anxious moments for his connections while away from Gulfstream Park West while also showing flashes of unfulfilled potential. 

 Bodexpress finished second as a maiden behind Maximum Security in the 2019 Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream to earn a start in the 2019 Kentucky Derby (Grade 1). He finished 14th after a rough journey. 

In the Preakness (Grade 1), he unseated jockey John Velazquez when he reared in the starting gate and led the outriders on a merry chase during the race.

Delgado said he will point Bodexpress to stakes races during Gulfstream's 2020-2021 championship meet, including the $3 million Pegasus World Cup  (Grade 1) on Jan. 23. The Clark (Grade 1) at Churchill Downs on Nov. 27 also is a possibility, Delgado Sr. said.

"We'll keep him happy and healthy. He'll win one of the big ones," said assistant trainer Gustavo Delgado Jr.

 

 

            

Weekend Preview: Three Saturday Stakes at Each Florida Track

HorseracingFLA Staff Report

Both Florida thoroughbred tracks will have three stakes races this Saturday.

At Tampa Bay Downs those races will be the first stakes of the 2015-2016 meet.

Gulfstream’s stakes lineup is highlighted by the Mr. Prospector (Grade 3) at six furlongs on dirt for 3-year-olds and up.

On Saturday morning, we will have previews of both tracks’ stakes races.

Gulfstream Park

The Hallandale Beach track will have ten races on Friday with first post of 12:35 p.m.

Five of the eight races are scheduled for turf. They are the first five races. That schedule should enable Gulfstream to get those races on turf before the chance of rain rises to 50 percent late in the afternoon in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area.

The portable rail is at 96 feet for the first, third and fifth races and at 36 feet for the second and fourth races. The ninth and feature race is a $75,000 allowance/optional claimer at one mile on dirt for 2-year-olds. The race is a $41,000 purse.

Destin, trained by Todd Pletcher, is the 2-1 morning line favorite. Destin is making his second career start, following a win at one mile on dirt at Belmont Park on Oct. 18. Javier Castellano has the mount.

Trainer Todd  Pletcher

Sumpter and Brighton Lane have good shots to hit the board, and are win threats if Destin falters.

Sumpter is coming off a third place finish in the one mile Smooth Air Stakes at the Gulfstream Park West meet (Calder) on Nov. 28. Eddie Castro will ride for trainer Larry Bates.

Brighton Lane, trained by Stan Gold, won his first start–at Gulfstream on May 9. He has finished no better than third in five subsequent races, all in stakes at Gulfstream and Calder. He could benefit from a drop to allowance company. Jeffrey Sanchez has the mount.

The stakes races are:

* $100,000 Mr. Prospector (Grade 3) at six furlongs on dirt for 3-year-olds and up; fourth race with scheduled post of 1:35 p.m.

* 75,000 Tropical Park Derby — 1 1/16 miles on turf; 3-YO males; ninth race with scheduled post of 4:05 p.m.

*75,000 Tropical Park Oaks — 1 1/16 miles turf; 3-YO fillies; 11th race with scheduled post of 5:05 p.m.

Tampa Bay Downs

The Oldsmar track will have ten races on Friday with first post of 12:28 p.m.

The Saturday card has ten races with first post of 12:27 p.m. The stakes races, all with $100,000 purses are:

* Sandpiper–6 furlongs on dirt, 2-year-old fillies; third race with scheduled post of 1:27 p.m.

* Inaugural-6 furlongs on dirt, 2-year-old males; eighth race with scheduled post of 3:56 p.m.

* Lightning City — 5 furlongs on turf, fillies and mares 3-years-old and up; ninth race with scheduled post of 4:26 p.m.


Weekend Preview: Three Saturday Stakes at Each Florida Track