Gulfstream News & Notes

By David Joseph —-

Trainer Jonathan Thomas Stays Perfect for Summer Meet
Tyler Gaffalione Makes Four Visits to Winner’s Circle
Saturday’s Rainbow 6 Carryover Jackpot Grows to $292,964
First-Race Post 12:45 for Saturday’s 12-race Card

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Trainer Jonathan Thomas continued his impressive winning ways at Gulfstream Park Friday, saddling first-time starter Tillie’s Lily ($3.60) for a thoroughly dominating 8 1/2-length victory in the fifth race.

The 37-year-old former assistant to trainer Todd Pletcher ran his record to 4-for-4 during the Summer Meet after saddling three winners and two runners-up from five starters during the Spring Meet. The success of the former steeplechase jockey has come primarily in maiden special weight races, including Tillie’s Lily’s win in a five-furlong race that was taken off the turf and run over a sloppy main track. The Thomas-trained Catholic Boy debuted with a two-length victory in a 7 1/2 –furlong event for 2-year-olds Friday, while stablemate Righteous Ruth, a daughter of multiple graded-stakes winner Rutherienne, graduated in her second start in a mile turf event for fillies and mares July 9.

”We’ve been very fortunate with the clients we have and the horseflesh We have a very, very good team,” Thomas said. “I learned when good people put things in your direction, you make the best of them. I’m just trying to make the best of them.”

Thomas assisted Pletcher at Belmont Park for six years, before venturing to Ocala, where he began breaking and training 2-year-olds for clients while gradually building a stable of 28 racehorses.

“It was a very atypical route. I went to Ocala to do 2-year-olds for clients. Actually, I just sent Todd a bunch of horses yesterday and today,” Thomas said. “We’re getting left with some horses that fit the barn program. Some horses do better in that environment. It’s not something we set out to do. It happened organically.”

Tillie’s Lily went right to the lead, repelled an outside challenge on the turn into the homestretch and drew away powerfully to complete five furlongs in 58.01 seconds.

“She’s been training that way, so it was good to see her deliver,” Thomas said.

The 3-year-old daughter of Distorted Humor had a series of breezes at Bridlewood before producing two very sharp workouts over the Gulfstream track.

“We’re using Bridlewood as our main hub,” Thomas said. “Some of the horses that haven’t had racetrack experience come down here [to Gulfstream] for a few weeks to get an education.”

Tillie’s Lily was ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, who made four visits to the winner’s circle Friday. The 22-year-old rising star also scored aboard Silent Drifter ($5.40) in the first, John’s Approval ($2.80 in the third and Double Down Drama ($7) in the sixth to put his nation-leading 2017 win total to 176.

Saturday’s Rainbow 6 Carryover Jackpot Grows to $292,964

The 20-cent Rainbow 6 went unsolved for the 13th straight racing day at Gulfstream Park Friday, producing a $292,964.98 carryover jackpot for Saturday’s 12-race program (First-race post is set for 12:45 p.m.)

Multiple tickets with six winners were each worth $2,730.06.

The Rainbow 6 carryover jackpot is paid out only when there is a single unique ticket sold with all six winners. On days when there is no unique ticket sold, 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.

There will also be a Super Hi-5 carryover of $2,428.58 heading into Saturday’s card.

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.