Gulfstream: Salute the Colonel Commands Respect in Gulfstream’s July 4th Stakes

By David Joseph —-

Salute the Colonel Commands Respect in Gulfstream’s July 4th Stakes

Distance Suits Orseno Trainee in 1 1/2-Mile Turf Route

Free Fireworks, Walking Ring Party, Photo Booth, Food & Drink Specials

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Patricia Generazio’s Salute the Colonel will command respect in Thursday’s $60,000 Richard Henry Lee as he seeks his second straight victory in a 1 ½-mile starter stakes over the Gulfstream Park turf course.

First race post time is 12:45 p.m. Gulfstream will be the site of a July 4th celebration throughout the day and night with free fireworks at 9 p.m.

The son of Colonel John is coming off an impressive 1 ¼-length triumph in the May 27 Home of the Brave in his second start at the 1 ½-mile distance. The 6-year-old gelding had previously finished off-the-board in the Pan American (G2) on the March 30 Florida Derby (G1) undercard.

“He really ran a good race [in the Pan American] that day. It was his first time around three turns and he cost himself the race because he wouldn’t settle for Luis Saez. He got so rank. He didn’t know what it was, but when he figured it out, he relaxed and put in a nice run in the stretch, but it was the Pan American,” trainer Joe Orseno said. “I think he would have been third that day if he didn’t use up all his energy.”

Convinced that the 6-year-old gelding is ‘a true mile-and-a-half horse,’ Orseno opted to run him back in the Home of the Brave instead of the June 7 Soldier’s Dancer, a 1 1/16-mile stakes that he had won last year.

‘He handled [the 1 ½-distance] really well. He settled. Settling is the main thing if you have a horse that can going a mile and a half,” Orseno said. “I think this is going to make him a little better horse, which is what we’re hoping for.”

Salute the Colonel was rated second at 5-2 in the morning line behind the Eccentric Club Racing Stable’s Second Mate, the Michael Maker-trained winner of this year’s off-the-turf Soldier’s Dancer, who was installed as the 2-1 favorite.

“It’s going to be a little tougher race this with that Mike Maker horse in there,” Orseno said. “He’ll make him run.”

Jairo Rendon has the return mount on Salute the Colonel.

Second Mate was claimed by his current connections for $62,500 out of a second-place finish in a March 30 optional claiming allowance at Gulfstream. The 6-year-old gelded son of Mizzen Mast finished second in the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Turf Jan. 19 for his former connections.

Miguel Vasquez will seek his second straight stakes victory aboard Second Mate Thursday.

Marshall Eddy and Whiskey N Roses, who finished second and third, respectively, behind Salute the Colonel in the Home of the Brave, are among the most prominent contenders in Thursday’s July 4th feature.

Grand Nenuco, Bad to the Core, War Giant, Mr. Pinocchio and Somethinstappin round out the field.

Celebrate the 4th of July at Gulfstream Park

Gulfstream Park will celebrate the 4th of July with free fireworks, live racing, drink and dinner special and a party in the signature walking ring with family-friendly activities.

Live racing begins at 12:45 p.m. The party in the walking ring begins at 6 p.m. with free fireworks at 9 p.m.

Ten Palms, overlooking the track on Gulfstream’s second floor, will offer a $25 lunch buffet from noon to 5 p.m. and then a dinner buffet from 6-9 p.m. for $35.

The walking ring party will include a DJ, patriotic giveaways and a cash bar.

Admission and parking is free at Gulfstream.

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. For more information contact David Joseph at david.joseph@gulfstreampark.com or call 954.457.6451.