Gulfstream: Edgard Zayas Rides Five Winners Thursday at Gulfstream

By David Joseph —-

Ryan Thompson Photo
May 2, 2024

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – The doors at Silks simulcast facility at Gulfstream Park will open at 9:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday to accommodate patrons wishing to watch on wager on races from Churchill Downs.

The Kentucky Oaks (G1) will be run on Friday’s Churchill Downs program and will get underway at 10:30 a.m. Saturday’s Kentucky Derby (G1) Day program will also have a 10:30 a.m. first-race post time.

Fierceness, who captured the $1 million Curlin Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream by a record 13 ½ lengths, tops the field of 20 horses in the Kentucky Derby. Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) winner Power Squeeze will run in the Kentucky Oaks Friday.

Many other horses that competed during Gulfstream Park’s Championship Meet will compete in stakes on both days at Churchill Downs.

Friday’s 20-cent Rainbow 6 pool at Gulfstream is expected to grow to an estimated $100,000 after going unsolved Thursday for the second racing day following last Saturday’s mandatory payout.

Edgard Zayas Rides Five Winners Thursday at Gulfstream

Jockey Edgard Zayas continued to win races in bunches Thursday at Gulfstream Park. Zayas, who rode four winners on Saturday’s program, won another five races Thursday to push his Royal Plan Meet-leading victory total to 27.

Zayas rode back-to-back winners for trainer Joe Orseno, scoring aboard Magic Soul ($7) in Race 3 and Super Spin ($20.80) in Race 4. He also doubled for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. with back-to-back wins aboard Lady O’Brien ($2.60) in Race 6 and Goats On a Tree ($5) in Race 7. He finished his big day with a gate-to-wire score aboard Live High Live Low ($9.40) in Race 8 for trainer George Weaver.

The popular jockey wasn’t counting on another big day.

“It felt like a normal day, but thankfully the horses ran good for me. Everyday we’ve been riding a lot of live mounts,” Zayas said. “I have the right horses and the right support behind me. Hopefully, it will be a big year.”

About The Stronach Group and 1/ST

The Stronach Group is a world-class technology, entertainment and real estate development company with Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering at the core. The Stronach Group’s 1/ST business (pronounced “First”) is North America’s preeminent Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering company and includes the 1/ST RACING & GAMING, 1/ST CONTENT, 1/ST TECHNOLOGY and 1/ST EXPERIENCE businesses, while advocating for and driving the 1/ST HORSE CARE mission. 1/ST represents The Stronach Group’s continued movement toward redefining Thoroughbred racing and the ecosystem that drives it. 1/ST RACING & GAMING drives the best-in-class racing operations and gaming offerings 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 operating group for 1/ST’s media and content companies including: Monarch Content Management, Elite, TSG Global Wagering Solutions (GWS) and XBTV. 1/ST TECHNOLOGY is 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. 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 racing on and off the track. The Stronach Group’s TSG Properties is responsible for the development of the company’s live, play and work communities surrounding its racing venues including: The Village at Gulfstream Park (Florida) and Paddock Pointe (Maryland). For more information, please email david.joseph@gulfstreampark.com, visit www.1st.com or follow @1ST_racing on Twitter or @1stracing on Instagram and Facebook.