Gulfstream: Fawkes Forging a Path to Gulfstream Winner’s Circle

By David Joseph —-

Fawkes Forging a Path to Gulfstream Winner’s Circle

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Veteran trainer David Fawkes has been forging his own path to the Gulfstream Park winner’s circle while saddling five winners from five starters over the past two programs.

The South Florida mainstay, who has enjoyed much success on the national Thoroughbred stage, scored with his only two starters Saturday and his first three starters on Sunday’s card. He swept the first three races on Sunday’s nine-race card with Defendant ($3.60), Palomita ($5.60) and Golden Soda ($8.80), respectively. On Saturday, he visited the winners circle after victories by Wild Irishman ($5.60) in Race 3 and Uptown Queen ($6.40) in Race 8.

“A lot of my horses are coming around – it was their turn – and the Tapeta hasn’t hurt me at all. It’s been very kind to me,” Fawkes said.

The first four winners in Fawkes five-race winning streak came over Gulfstream’s newly installed Tapeta track.

“My horses have come out of running on it in great shape, and I haven’t heard one negative about it,” Fawkes said. “I’m thrilled with it. They’ve done a good job. Congratulations to Gulfstream on that.”

Fawkes, who trained Big Drama, the 2010 Eclipse Award-winning sprinter and Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) victor, and Sheer Drama, a multiple Grade 1 stakes-winning mare, enjoyed a personal best with his three-win day.

“Believe it or not, I had never won three races in one day before,” said Fawkes, who has saddled the winners of 1075 races and $38 million in purses. “I’ve won two and got beat a nose in a stake. I’ve had some good days but never won three in one day.”

Fawkes’ winning streak came to an end in Sunday’s Race 6, when Mony finished off the board.

Chantal Sutherland, who rode Fawkes’ first two winners Sunday, added two more victories aboard Jorge Delgado-trained She Nasty ($14) in Race 7 and Royal War ($3.20) in Race 9, continuing to establish herself in Gulfstream’s jockey colony.

Sutherland, who moved to South Florida over the winter, also won four races July 24.

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The Stronach Group is a world-class technology, entertainment and real estate development company with Thoroughbred horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering at the core. The company’s consumer facing brand 1/ST (pronounced “First”) powers The Stronach Group’s forward-thinking 1/ST RACING, 1/ST CONTENT, 1/ST TECHNOLOGY, 1/ST EXPERIENCE, and 1/ST PROPERTIES businesses, while advocating for and driving the 1/ST HORSE CARE mission. 1/ST represents The Stronach Group’s continued movement toward redefining Thoroughbred horse racing and the ecosystem that drives it. 1/ST RACING drives the best-in-class horse racing operations at the company’s premier racetracks and training centers including: Santa Anita Park, Golden Gate Fields and San Luis Rey Downs (California); Gulfstream Park – home of the Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series, Gulfstream Park West and Palm Meadows Thoroughbred Training Center (Florida); the Maryland Jockey Club at Laurel Park, Pimlico Race Course – home of the legendary Preakness Stakes, Rosecroft Raceway and Bowie Training Center (Maryland). 1/ST CONTENT is the newly formed operating group for all of 1/ST’s media and content companies including: Monarch Content Management, Elite, GWS and XBTV. 1/ST TECHNOLOGY is horse racing’s largest racing and gaming technology company offering world-class products via its AmTote, Xpressbet, 1/ST BET, XB SELECT, XB NET, PariMAX and Betmix brands. 1/ST EXPERIENCE blends the worlds of sports, entertainment and hospitality through innovative content development, elevated national and local venue management and hospitality, strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and procurement development. 1/ST PROPERTIES is responsible for the development of the company’s live, work and play communities surrounding its racing venues including: The Village at Gulfstream Park (Florida) and Paddock Pointe (Maryland). As the advocate for critical industry reforms and by making meaningful investments into aftercare programs for retired horses and jockeys, 1/ST HORSE CARE represents The Stronach Group’s commitment to achieving the highest level of horse and rider care and safety standards in Thoroughbred horse racing on and off the track. For more information, please email david.joseph@gulfstreampark.com and visit www.1st.com.