Gabaldon after winning the Royal Palm. (Ryan Thompson)
Windsor Castle Runner-Up at Royal Ascot Heads Texas Glitter 5F Turf Stakes
David Joseph/Gulfstream Park
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Last seen crossing the Royal Ascot finish line second in the June 19 Windsor Castle Stakes, Soldi Stable LLC’s Gabaldon is set for his highly anticipated 2025 debut in Saturday’s $115,000 Texas Glitter Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
The Jose D’Angelo-trained 3-year-old son of Gone Astray drew the outside post position for the Texas Glitter, a five-furlong turf stakes for sophomores that drew a field of eight.
“He’s training well, so he’s ready. We have post position eight on the outside, so he’s going to be able to make his own pace,” D’Angelo said.
Gabaldon was always forwardly placed in a 27-horse field assembled for the Windsor Castle, in which he appeared to hold a brief lead before being overtaken by Ain’t Nobody by a length.
“It was amazing for me. I feel grateful and thank God every day for the places these horses bring me. It was an amazing experience. I learned a lot and I met a lot of people, and we almost won,” D’Angelo said. “We are fortunate to be able to go there and thankful to go and have a chance with a horse like that. I would like to go back and get the job done over there.”
Gabaldon, Saturday’s 8-5 morning-line favorite, needed time to recover from his trans-Atlantic adventure.
“After Ascot we went to Saratoga, and we decided to give him time off, and it was very helpful to him. Now, he is ready,” D’Angelo said. “He’s had some good workouts, and he loves the track here, so I think he is going to be tough on Saturday.”
Gabaldon earned his journey to Great Britain with a debut victory in the $110,000 Royal Palm Juvenile, a five-furlong turf stakes that offered the winner an automatic stakes berth during the Royal Ascot meet, as well as a $25,000 travel stipend. The Florida-bred colt led throughout on his way to a 1 ¼-length score.
D’Angelo is also represented in the Texas Glitter field by David Bernsen and Leon King Stable’s Incanto, a runner-up in a five-furlong optional claiming allowance on Tapeta last time out.
Emisael Jaramillo, who was aboard for both of Gabaldon’s races last year, has the return mount. Samuel Marin has the mount on Incanto, who had graduated in his first start since being transferred to D’Angelo prior to his recent runner-up finish.
Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, R A Hill Stable and Brandon Dalinka’s No Evidence and R A Hill Stable and SGV Thoroughbreds’ Turbulent Force will enter the Texas Glitter off victories. Making his first start since finishing second in his July 19 debut at Saratoga, Christophe Clement-trained No Evidence pressed a contentious pace in his Feb. 16 return at Gulfstream before drawing clear by 1 ¾ lengths. George Weaver-trained Turbulent Force followed up a Dec. 5 debut victory at Gulfstream with a front-running triumph at five furlongs on turf Jan. 9.
Paco Lopez has the return call on No Evidence, while Dylan Davis is scheduled to ride Turbulent Force for the first time.
David Romanik and trainer Ron Spatz’s Most Handsome, a stakes winner last year in the off-the-turf Hallandale Beach, is slated to make his turf debut in his second start of 2025. The gelded son of Neolithic finished third in a six-furlong optional claiming allowance on Tapeta March 7.
Edgard Zayas is scheduled to ride Most Handsome for the first time Saturday.
Evan Trommer’s I’m Otter Here, David Bernsen and Echo Papa Racing Corp.’s Moon Factor round out the field.
