Luis Fuenmayor after his win. (Ryan Thompson)
22YO Venezuela Native Scores on Nuclear Empire at Gulfstream
David Joseph/Gulfstream Park
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Lea Farms’ Nuclear Empire came with a steady run down the center of the track to surge past dueling leaders Tricky Tiger and Bernardo’s Legacy and get up by a half-length in Thursday’s opener at Gulfstream Park to give apprentice jockey Luis Fuenmayor his first career win.
Fuenmayor, a 22-year-old native of Venezuela that rides with a 10-pound weight allowance, had three seconds and three thirds from 12 prior mounts in the U.S. before breaking through on the 3-year-old gelding for trainer Jorge Delgado.
“To get my first win here at Gulfstream, it feels very good,” Fuenmayor said. “I’m very happy.”
Nuclear Empire ($11) broke with his six rivals from the far outside in the five-furlong claiming sprint for 3-year-olds and up before settling in the clear three wide in fifth as 2-5 favorite Tricky Tiger battled with 9-1 longshot Bernardo’s Legacy through a quarter-mile in 24.03 seconds.
The two leaders entered the stretch on even terms as Nuclear Empire, who began to roll midway around the far turn, was set down for a drive that saw him reel in the front-runners and edge clear to win in 57.97 seconds over the all-weather Tapeta course.
Fuenmayor, who also finished fourth with Valid Sense in Thursday’s Race 4, was third in his North American debut April 20 at Gulfstream aboard Marcial Cornejo-trained 3-year-old War of Will gelding Fighting Words. He came within a nose of registering his first victory May 3 with 34-1 longshot Nipsey, beaten in a head bob at the wire by favored Areacodefiveoone.
Fuenmayor has no scheduled mounts Friday and is named in three races Saturday and once race Sunday at Gulfstream.
