Bodexpress Sets Track Record at Gulfstream Park West

High expectations were placed on Bodexpress this season, and the later part of the year proved his time to shine.

The 3-year-old son of Bodemeister  broke an 18-year-old track record Nov. 20 at Gulfstream Park West, where he zipped a mile in 1:35.58 and won a $39,400 allowance race by 6 3/4 lengths. 

The old track record of 1:36.25 was set by High Ideal in 2001.

Best known for dropping jockey John Velazquez at the start of the Preakness Stakes (G1), then chasing the field around Pimlico Race Course before he was apprehended without major incident, Bodexpress was still a maiden when he contested the second leg of the Triple Crown, but it wasn't his first rodeo. He also ran in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), where he was placed 13th. His connections entered him in the Preakness on the merits of a runner-up finish—3 1/2 lengths behind Maximum Security—in the Xpressbet Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park.

"This is a good horse. Never in my life have I had a horse set a track record," said trainer Gustavo Delgado, who was Venezuela's all-time winningest trainer before he ventured to South Florida 10 years ago. "The way he has come back has been perfect."

The speedy score was the second in a row for Bodexpress, who broke his maiden Oct. 14 going a mile and 70 yards at Gulfstream Park West in his first start since the Preakness. Sent off Wednesday as the 4-5 favorite under Emisael Jaramillo, the bay colt broke alertly to outrush Todd Pletcher-trained Moretti heading into the first turn, then established an uncontested lead while posting fractions of 24.09 and 47.64. Moretti, the 7-2 second choice, made a brief outside move on the far turn before backing up, leaving Bodexpress with a commanding four-length lead on the final turn. After being set down for the drive, he drew off while extending his lead to the wire.

Gump, who stumbled at the start, saved ground to finish second, 10 lengths ahead of Postino's Vow. Moretti, a $900,000 yearling purchase who was making his first start since Feb. 2, finished fifth.

Delgado mentioned the $100,000 Harlan's Holiday Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park Dec. 14 as a possible next target for Bodexpress.

"The way he was training the past 10 days, he looked like he had a good race coming," said Gustavo Delgado Jr., the assistant trainer for his father's stable. "He's more mature now. We want to make him a winning horse. We'll take it step by step up the ladder."