Gulfstream: D’Angelo Optimistic with Ascot ‘Win & In’ Races Saturday at Gulfstream

By David Joseph —-

Gulfstream: D’Angelo Optimistic with Ascot ‘Win & In’ Races Saturday at Gulfstream

Nolan Ramsey Saddles 1st Winner Friday at Gulfstream

D’Angelo Optimistic with Ascot ‘Win & In’ Races Saturday at Gulfstream

Royal Palm Juvenile Stakes Winners Earn a Spot at Royal Ascot

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Trainer Jose D’Angelo admits he was a bit melancholy watching Saturday’s Kentucky Derby (G1).

Up until the morning of April 14, D’Angelo was guaranteed his first starter in the Derby with Morplay Racing LLC’s Tampa Bay Derby (G3) runner-up No More Times. But that morning the colt sustained a condylar fracture, knocking him out of the Derby.

“It was sad,” D’Angelo said. “But the surgery he had went well and he’s doing well in Ocala recovering. We’re giving him all the time he needs. He’s a very important horse.”

While D’Angelo missed his shot at the Derby, he’s hoping to win a trip to Great Britain’s Royal Ascot meet Saturday when he saddles Gabaldon and Enterdadragon in the $120,000 Royal Palm Juvenile at Gulfstream Park.

The Royal Palm Juvenile and $120,000 Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies, both at five furlongs, are automatic qualifiers for a choice of six stakes for juveniles during Great Britain’s prestigious Royal Ascot meeting that will run June 18-22. The winners of both of Saturday’s stakes will also earn $25,000 travel stipends.

Last year, Crimson Advocate parlayed her victory in the Juvenile Fillies into a score in the Queen Mary (G2) at Royal Ascot.

“I’d like to go to Royal Ascot one year,” D’Angelo said. “Maybe this will be the year.”

The Royal Palm Juvenile drew a field of 12 juveniles – eight making their first start – including D’Angelo’s starters. One of the colts that has started, Raise the Bar, is the likely favorite based on his debut victory at Keeneland April 10 over a sloppy track. Trainer Wesley Ward, who has saddled a dozen winners at Royal Ascot, is also 32-percent with juveniles.

D’Angelo is optimistic with his two starters. Gabaldon, a son of Gone Astray who has Emisael Jaramillo riding, worked well April 26 over the grass. “We put him out there and he liked it,” D’Angelo said. “He did good against an older horse he worked with, too. That’s a good sign.”

Enterdadragon, a son of Outwork to be ridden by Leonel Reyes, worked over the turf last week. “I think he may be better long, but this is a good first step.”

Joining Raise the Bar in the starting gate will be Bright Skittle, trained by Rusty Arnold, was third in his debut over the turf at Keeneland April 25. Luca Panici rides. Mark Casse sends out two in Makeit to Cheyene, a son of Liam’s Map, and Classy War, a son of War of Will.

In the Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies, six of the dozen fillies will be making their debuts. Once again, Ward is expected to saddle the favorite in Perfect Shances, a 4 ¾ length winner at Keeneland over a sloppy track. Saffie Joseph Jr. will saddle two in The Queens M G, a debut winner at Keeneland April 7 over a fast track, and Ramsey Road, a daughter of Divisidero making her debut. Bullet, a $425,000 daughter of War Front, will go out for Casse.

Gulfstream’s 10-race program begins at 1:10 p.m.

Nolan Ramsey Saddles 1st Winner Friday at Gulfstream

HALLANDALE, FL –– Nolan Ramsey, the longtime assistant to trainer Michael Maker before going out on his own in April, saddled his first winner as a trainer Friday at Gulfstream Park.

The 27-year-old Lexington, KY native notched his first victory with Marshamarshamarsha ($5), who is owned by his grandfather Ken Ramsey, the longtime Thoroughbred owner who won four Eclipse Awards as North America’s outstanding owners with his late wife Sarah and was the leading owner during the 2023-2024 Championship Meet.

Marshamarshamarsha, Ramsey’s fifth starter, stalked the early pace while saving ground before making a three-wide sweep on the turn into the homestretch on her way to a decisive score in Race 5, a mile turf event for 3-year-old fillies racing for a $16,000 claiming price.

“It’s special. It’s the first one. It’s great to get off the duck. It’s nice doing it for family too,” said Ramsey, who was doused with water by a stable employee in celebration. “I wouldn’t be here without him (Ken Ramsey). My love for the horses and horseracing all came from him. I remember watching the races when I was 5 or 6. He taught me how to handicap and started bringing me around the horses. Without my grandparents I wouldn’t be here. To get where I’ve been and being able to knock off the first one for the family, that’s really special.”

Ramsey started walking hots for Maker when he was 14 years old.

“I was hands-on with them, and I really fell in love with the racetrack. The action and the speed of it really drew me in. It was full-blown from there on,” said Ramsey, who has assembled a 30-horses stable at Gulfstream with plans to train a small string in the Mid-Atlantic.

“I was very grateful to work for Mike,” he added. “The thing about Mike is he has all the horses. He has the Grade 1s; he’s got the starter allowances; he’s got the ‘nickel’ claimers. You learn a lot from those horses.”

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