Jockey Gonzalez Suffers Hairline Fracture in Leg
Live Racing Returns Friday
HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Grupo 7C Racing Stable’s Jesus’ Team, the gritty claimer-turned-Grade 1-stakes performer, is scheduled to return to action in next Sunday’s City of Dania at Gulfstream Park.
The 4-year-old son of Tapiture, who has been freshened since his sixth-place finish in the $10 million Dubai World Cup (G1) March 27, tuned up for the mile overnight handicap with a five-furlong breeze in 1:00.65 Saturday at Palm Meadows, Gulfstream’s satellite training facility in Palm Beach County.
“The work was perfect. Jesus has been training great for the City of Dania,” trainer Jose D’Angelo said. “He looks great. He put on weight and is very strong.”
Jesus’ Team captured a $25,000 claiming race at Gulfstream in his first start for D’Angelo in May 2020 before taking a tour of the East Coast and Midwest to compete against the best horses in training and amass more than $1.3 million in purses. The Kentucky-bred colt finished third in the Jim Dandy (G2) at Belmont and Preakness (G1) at Pimlico, before finishing second behind Knicks Go in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1). He returned to Gulfstream to win the Claiming Crown Jewel before finishing second again behind Knicks Go in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) during the 2020-2021 Championship Meet.
“I think Jesus is ready to have a very good year,” D’Angelo. “The goal again is the Breeders’ Cup.”
Jockey Gonzalez Suffers Hairline Fracture in Leg
Edwin Gonzalez, thrown from his mount during Saturday’s ninth race, suffered a hairline fracture in his right leg. The jockey will be evaluated further this week, according to agent Kevin Meyocks.
Gonzalez, third in the standings during Gulfstream’s Spring/Summer Meet with 59 wins and $1.776 million in total earnings, had been named to ride Miles Ahead in the Smile Sprint (G3). Victor Espinoza replaced Gonzalez on Miles Ahead, who won by a half-length.
Gonzalez has 1,506 career wins since coming to the U.S. from his native Puerto Rico in 2013. A multiple graded-stakes winner in Puerto Rico, Gonzalez guided Ghost Hunter for his first graded-stakes success in the 2017 Arlington Handicap (G3).
Live Racing Returns Friday
Gulfstream remains open for simulcasting throughout the week. Live racing returns Friday with a nine-race program. First race post is 2 p.m.
The Friday program includes a $70,000 maiden special weight event as the sixth race for 2-year-old fillies at 5 ½ furlongs. Glen Hill Farm has entered Change Plans, a daughter of Tapit who was purchased for $350,000 in 2019. John Oxley’s Summertime Magic, a daughter of Carpe Diem who brought $90,000 as a yearling, is also entered. Leading trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. enters Leviosa, a daughter of Kantharos who debuts off a bullet work.
Friday’s eighth race, an allowance optional claimer ($75,000), has a trio of 3-year-old colts who just broke their maiden – Shanghai Ronnie, Mister Luigi and Brother Satchmo. Kathleen O’Connell has entered The Distractor, making his first start since finishing fourth in Tampa’s Pasco in January.
Gulfstream Park Press Release
Photo: Jesus’ Team, Edwin Gonzalez ( Gulfstream Park Photos)
