Great Venezuela. (Ryan Thompson)
David Joseph/Gulfstream Park
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Orlyana Farm’s Great Venezuela showed up yet again Saturday at Gulfstream Park, where the ultra-consistent 4-year-old filly registered a thoroughly professional length victory in the $70,000 Portofino Bay Handicap.
While finishing in the money for the 13th time in her 13th career start, Great Venezuela, the 8-5 second betting choice ridden by Leonel Reyes, prevailed over 3-5 favorite Mrs. Gambolini in the 5 ½-furlong handicap for fillies and mares contested over the Tapeta course.
“She’s a very consistent filly,” trainer Victor Barboza Jr. said. “Leonel gave her the perfect ride.”
Great Venezuela, who had finished a well-beaten second behind Mrs. Gambolini in the May 27 Golden Beach Handicap and third behind stablemate Tiffany Gold and Mrs. Gambolini in the Lady’s Island Handicap on turf, stalked pacesetter Trumpets into the stretch before outkicking the favorite to the finish line.
“The difference today was my position was better. She had traffic in her last two races,” Barboza said.
The daughter of Neolithic notched her eighth victory from 13 starts and her sixth win from seven starts on Tapeta.
“She’s very consistent on both tracks, but six wins and one second on Tapeta is very good,” Barboza said.
Great Venezuela, who sat just off Trumpets’ fractions of 21.91 and 44.45 (seconds) for the first half mile, completed the 5 ½ furlongs in 1:02.38. Mrs. Gambolini, the 124-pound highweight ridden by Edgard Zayas, finished second while conceding one pound to the winner. Trumpets and Edgar Perez finished third, 2 ½ lengths farther back, in a field reduced to four starters by the morning scratches of Tiffany Gold and Oh Darlin.
