Gulfstream: Full Sister to Rachel Alexandra Debuts Friday at Gulfstream

By David Joseph —-

Full Sister to Rachel Alexandra Debuts Friday at Gulfstream

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Gladys, a full sister to 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, is scheduled to make her debut Friday at Gulfstream Park.

The 2-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro is slated to break from the outside post position in a field of 10 2-year-old fillies assembled for a $65,000 six-furlong maiden special weight race carded as Race 6.

Gladys was named by owner/breeder Dede Mc Gehee, a graduate of the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine, in memory of her late maternal grandmother, Gladys Atkinson Houser.

Gladys is the eighth foal out of Lotta Kim, a daughter of Roar whose first foal was Rachel Alexandra, who was named 2009 Horse of the Year after winning five Grade 1 races in a row, including the Preakness, Haskell and Woodward against males and the Kentucky Oaks.

The Kentucky-bred Gladys, who is trained by Kelsey Danner, has been prepared for her debut with a series of 10 breezes at Palm Meadows, Gulfstream Park’s satellite training facility in Palm Beach County.

Angel Arroyo has the mount.

Panici Wins First Day Back from First Kentucky Derby Ride

Jockey Luca Panici visited the winner’s circle Thursday on his first day back at Gulfstream Park after riding in his first Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs Sept. 5.

The 46-year-old native of Milan, Italy scored a front-running victory aboard Reeves Thoroughbred Racing’s Katieleigh ($20.80) in Race 5, a five-furlong optional claiming allowance for fillies and mares on turf. Panici, who finished off-the-board on Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Andie Biancone’s Sole Volante in the Derby, was required to self-quarantine according to Covid-19 protocols before returning to action Thursday.

“It’s nice to win for the same owner. It’s always a wonderful feeling winning for these people,” he said.

Panici, who grew up playing soccer with international riding star Frankie Dettori across the street from Milan’s racetrack, rode more than 500 winners in Italy. He made a permanent move to the U.S. in 2009 and his ridden more than 675 winners.

Although disappointed with his Derby finish, Panici was delighted to take part in the Derby Experience.

“It was a nice experience. I have no regrets. It was wonderful to be there. The atmosphere, even though there were no fans, was wonderful,” Panici said. “Everybody’s talking about the Derby. It’s a good horse town. It was a privilege to ride for Mr. [Dean] Reeves and Andie Biancone. They are wonderful people. I am glad to be a part of the team.”

Katieleigh was saddled for a 1 ¼-length victory by Kathy Ritvo, whose most important victory came with Reeves Thoroughbred Racing’s Mucho Macho Man in the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita.

Samy Camacho, who was denied the opportunity to ride in his first Kentucky Derby when Tampa Bay Derby (G2) winner King Guillermo was scratched due to a fever two days before the Run for the Roses, also returned to riding at Gulfstream Thursday.

Camacho is scheduled to ride King Guillermo in the Oct. 3 Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico.

Joseph Trejos Victorious on First Day as Journeyman Thursday

Joseph Trejos was victorious on his first day as a journeyman Thursday, scoring a 5 ½-length victory aboard Queen Domina ($15.80) in Race 6 at Gulfstream Park.

Trejos had been the leading apprentice during Gulfstream’s Spring/Summer Meet with 47 winners, including his very first U.S. winner, Mixteca, April 18.

The 23-year-old Trejos had ridden 44 winners in his native Panama after attending the Laffit Pincay Jr. school, where he was selected as the outstanding rider in his December 2018 graduating class.

Trejos came to the U.S. in November and galloped horses at Palm Meadows, Gulfstream Park’s satellite training facility in Palm Beach County, before riding in his first race March 19.

Emisael Jaramillo rode four winners on Thursday’s card, starting the day with three straight winners, El Pillo ($6.80) in Race 1, Osprey ($4.20) in Race 2 and Napa Rules ($13.20) in Race 3 before winning aboard Sugar Bolt ($5.60) in Race 7 to run his Spring/Summer Meet win total to 112. Only Edgard Zayas (131) and Miguel Vazquez (120) have won more races.

Friday’s Rainbow 6 Jackpot Pool Guaranteed at $650,000

The 20-cent Rainbow 6 jackpot pool will be guaranteed at $650,000 Friday at Gulfstream Park.

The popular multi-race wager went unsolved for the ninth consecutive racing program, Thursday, when multiple tickets with all six winners were each worth $8,546.42.

The carryover 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.

Friday’s Rainbow 6 sequence will span Race 4-9 and include the debut of Rachel Alexandra’s full sister Gladys’ debut in Race 6. The $65,000 maiden special weight race, a six-furlong sprint for 2-year-old fillies, also attracted Speeding, a Mark Casse-trained daughter of Into Mischief who was bought for $300,000 at the 2020 OBS April sale. Speeding will move to the main track after finishing a troubled third at five-furlongs on turf in her Aug. 6 debut.

There will also be a Super Hi-5 carryover of $5,304.11 heading into Friday’s card.

About The Stronach Group

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 company’s consumer facing brand 1/ST (pronounced “First”) powers The Stronach Group’s forward-thinking 1/ST Racing, 1/ST Technology, 1/ST Live 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 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 (California); Gulfstream Park – home of the Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series, and Gulfstream Park West (Florida); and Laurel Park, Pimlico Race Course – home of the legendary Preakness Stakes, Rosecroft Raceway and Bowie Training Center (Maryland). 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, Betmix, Monarch and XBTV brands. 1/ST Live blends the worlds of sports, entertainment and hospitality by delivering uniquely curated events such as InfieldFest and Pegasus LIV Stretch Village. 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 racing on and off the track. For more information please email david.joseph@gulfstreampark.com and visit www.1st.com.