Gulfstream Today 2.12.20: Romero Maragh Rides ‘Special’ First Winner in Comeback

By David Joseph —-

GULFSTREAM TODAY 2.12.20

Romero Maragh Rides ‘Special’ First Winner in Comeback

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Romero Ramsay Maragh celebrated a ‘special’ moment in the Gulfstream Park winner’s circle Wednesday, when the 19-year-old apprentice jockey rode his first winner since fracturing two vertebrae in a Jan. 31, 2019 spill.

Maragh, who underwent surgery to fuse four vertebrae, made his return to riding Jan. 19 at Gulfstream. Thursday, he scored aboard Allabouthedrama ($14.40) in Race 2.

“It’s very special – it’s been over a year – after all the pain and everything I’ve been through,” said Maragh, crediting his family and girlfriend with supporting him through his recovery and during his successful comeback.

Prior to being sidelined, Maragh had won 85 races, including two aboard Maximum Security. He guided the future Eclipse Award champion in his 9 ¾-length debut victory in $16,000 maiden claiming race Dec. 20, 2018 before scoring a 6 ½-length optional claiming starter allowance win aboard the future Florida Derby (G1) winner on Jan. 27, 2019, four days before being sidelined.

The Hollywood FL native had to work a lot harder to win with Allaboutthedrama than he did with Maximum Security, who went on to win the Florida Derby (G1) and finish first in the Kentucky Derby (G1), only to be disqualified. After pressing the pace on the inside while lapped on Two Cents Worth along the backstretch and into the homestretch, Allaboutthedrama responded to Maragh’s vigorous handling to pull away to a 2 ¼-length victory.

“She broke sharp, but I was committed because I was the inside horse. I was putting a little pressure on her the whole way, but I had to keep her there or lose position. I don’t think would have won [otherwise],” the cousin of journeyman jockey Rajiv Maragh said.

It didn’t take Maragh long to find the winner’s circle again. He came back in Race 8 to guide Lady Archa ($6.40) with an off-the-pace score.

Graded Winners Tax, Tusk Nominated for Presidents Day Stakes

Multiple graded-stakes winner Tax is prominent among 16 nominations for the $60,000 Old Hickory Monday at Gulfstream Park.

The Old Hickory, a 1 1/16-mile race for 4-year-olds and up that have raced for a claiming price of $35,000 or lower, is one of 12 starter stakes on the Presidents Day program. First-race post time for the special Monday card is set for noon.

Tax ran most recently in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) presented by Runhappy at Gulfstream Park Jan. 25, when he stumbled at the start and finished out of the money.

The 4-year-old gelded son of Arch, who started for a $30,000 tag in his debut and was claimed out of a victory in a $50,000 maiden claiming race, won the Jim Dandy (G2) at Saratoga in July, as well as the Withers (G3) at Aqueduct last February. Tax is owned by R.A. Hill Stable, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Hugh Lynch and Corms Racing Stable.

Jordan Wycoff’s Tusk, who captured the Tropical Turf (G3) Jan. 11 at Gulfstream, tops 31 nominations for the $60,000 Old Man Elegant, a 1 1/16-mile turf race for 4-year-olds and up that started for a claiming price among. The 7-year-old gelded son of Tapit has won both starts for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. since being claiming for $32,000 at Belmont in October.

Mathew Schera’s Island Commish, who captured the Kitten’s Joy (G3) at Gulfstream Jan. 4, is among 22 nominations for the $60,000 Sage of Monticello, a mile turf race for 4-year-olds and up that have raced for a claiming price of $35,000 or lower.

The dozen starter stakes attracted a total of 239 nominations.

Thursday’s Rainbow 6 Jackpot Pool Guaranteed at $850,000

The 20-cent Rainbow 6 jackpot pool will be guaranteed at $850,000 Thursday at Gulfstream Park.

The popular multi-race wager went unsolved for the 10th consecutive racing day Wednesday, when multiple tickets will all six winners were each worth $611.96.

The Rainbow 6 jackpot 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: In addition to Romero Ramsay Maragh’s two-win day,, Luis Saez won scored a triple with Take Charge Tina ($28.20) in Race 5, Armchair Jockey ($7.40) in Race 7, and Ballagh Rocks ($6.40) in the 10th.

Rainbow 6 Jackpot Pool: $850,000 Guaranteed (Thursday)

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, 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.