War Correspondent Scores Commanding Win in G3 Miami Mile

By David Joseph —-

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – War Correspondent was the beneficiary of a dream trip under jockey Tyler Gaffalione at Gulfstream Park Saturday, scoring a commanding triumph in Saturday’s $100,000 Miami Mile (G3).

Exiting a troubled journey in the Feb. 11 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (G1), in which he was placed from fourth to third following a bumping incident, the Christophe Clement-trained 7-year-old won the mile turf event by a comfortable length in 1:34.19.

“It was a perfect trip. He’s a very genuine horse. He’s going to give you everything. When he’s right he is a very good horse,” assistant trainer Thomas Brandebourger said.

Sent to post as the 3-5 favorite in a field that was reduced to four following the scratch of 8-5 morning-line favorite All Included, War Correspondent broke alertly from his inside post position, immediately challenged to his outside by Applicator, the 14-1 outsider ridden by Jose Garcia. Gaffalione opted to concede the pacesetting honors to Applicator, content to rate off the pace set with fractions of 23.27 seconds and 48.69 for the first half mile. War Correspondent closed ground on the pacesetter leaving the backstretch and on the far turn before edging his way to the lead on the turn into the homestretch. When asked for his run, the son of War Front drew off to a solid victory for owners Calumet Farm, Sagamore Farm and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners.

“My horse broke out there running and the other horse [Applicator] was intent on going, so we just sat off of him. He relaxed beautifully. When I asked him to run, he just exploded,” Gaffalione said. “He was just out there cruising; he was on cruise control; and when I pushed the button, he was gone.”

Applicator held second, a nose ahead of the Clement-trained Lubash, the 10-year-old New York-bred millionaire making his first start of the year under Luca Panici.

“[Lubash] ran well. He had the pace against him. It was a slow pace and he had to make up ground,” Brandebourger said. “He just got beat for second place [by Applicator], but he ran well.”

War Correspondent, twice Grade 1 stakes-placed at Gulfstream, notched his second graded-stakes triumph over the Hallandale Beach track’s grass course, having captured the Appleton (G3) in 2016.

MIAMI MILE (G3) QUOTES

Assistant Trainer Thomas Brandebourger (Christophe Clement-trained War Correspondent, winner; Lubash, 3rd): “It was a perfect trip. He’s a very genuine horse. He’s going to give you everything. When he’s right he is a very good horse.”
“[Lubash] ran well. He had the pace against him. It was a slow pace and he had to make up ground. He just got beat for second place [by Applicator], but he ran well.”

Jockey Tyler Gaffalione (War Correspondent): “My horse broke out there running and the other horse [Applicator] was intent on going, so we just sat off of him. He relaxed beautifully. When I asked him to run, he just exploded. He was just out there cruising; he was on cruise; and when I pushed the button, he was gone.”

Gulfstream Park is a Stronach Group company, North America’s leading Thoroughbred racetrack owner/operator. The Stronach Group racetracks include Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park & Casino, Golden Gate Fields, Portland Meadows, Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, home of the world-famous Preakness. The company owns and operates the Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida, and is one of North America’s top race horse breeders through its award-winning Adena Springs operation. The Stronach Group is one of the world’s largest suppliers of pari-mutuel wagering systems, technologies and services. Its companies include AmTote, a global leader in wagering technology; XpressBet, an Internet and telephone account wagering service; and Monarch Content Management, which acts as a simulcast purchase and sales agent of horseracing content for numerous North American racetracks and wagering outlets. The Stronach Group is also a leading producer of social media content for the horseracing industry.