Blue-Collar Horses Ready for Claiming Crown Spotlight
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Ryan Thompson
Tune In wins a starter allowance in May at Gulfstream Park
Very much the poster horse for what the annual Claiming Crown at Gulfstream Park represents, Mastic Beach Racing's Tune In will seek his seventh win in his last 10 starts in the $125,000 Jewel Dec. 4.
The Jewel, a 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds and up who have run for a claiming price of $35,000 or less in 2020-21, will headline an 11-race program offering nine starter stakes worth $810,000 in purses for the celebration of the blue-collar horses that support day-to-day programs at racetracks across the country. Post time for Saturday's program is noon ET.
Tune In, who opened his career with a 3 1/2-length win in a $20,000 maiden claiming race at Keeneland in April 2019, has developed into a tough-as-nails competitor with a resolute will to win. The Diane Morici-trained gelding has notched a record of six wins, two places, and one third in his last nine races.
"He's a cool dude," Morici said. "He's a rock star; he's a total rock star."
The son of Country Day , who is coming off a dominating victory in a one-turn mile starter allowance at Gulfstream, will attempt to win for the first time around two turns on dirt in the Jewel. His most recent attempt at two turns on dirt came Oct. 1 at Churchill Downs, where he held the lead in the stretch before settling for second behind multiple graded stakes-placed Major Fed .
"He went two turns at Churchill and got beat by a very nice horse," Morici said. "At this level I think he should be fine."
Tune In, who kicked off his impressive nine-race run with back-to-back two-turn victories over the turf at Tampa Bay Downs and Gulfstream last winter, came back from his Churchill race six weeks later to return to winning form at Gulfstream. He will return in the Jewel off only three weeks between races.
"This is the first time I'm running him back this quick. I usually give him a little bit more time between races, but he did come out of his last race really well," Morici said. "He shipped to Kentucky twice and ran his eyeballs out. He never missed an oat. He's a good eater. He's a class act. He's just a class act."
Leonel Reyes has the return mount aboard Tune In.
John Fanelli, LC Racing, Paul Braverman, and Timothy Pinch's Girolamo's Attack will also attempt to win for the first time around two turns in the Jewel. The Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained 4-year-old gelding is coming off a victory in the one-turn mile Hollywood Lakes Handicap at Gulfstream.
"His best race seems to be a one-turn mile. He's 3-for-3 at Gulfstream at a one-turn mile," Joseph said. "We're experimenting going two turns for the first time at a mile and an eighth. We're going to give it a shot. It's a question mark if he wants to go two turns."
Privately purchased after breaking his maiden for a $32,000 claiming price at Gulfstream in July 2020, the son of Girolamo is usually forwardly placed while sprinting.
"Going longer, it allows him to get into an easier rhythm than when we were sprinting him earlier. I think that was the mistake we were making," Joseph said. "It's a slower tempo (around two turns)."
Edgard Zayas has the return call.
Joseph will also be represented by Magic Cap Stables' Twelve Volt Man , who became eligible for the Jewel two races back when he won a starter optional claiming allowance at Gulfstream while running for a $35,000 tag. The 3-year-old Violence gelding finished fourth in the Showing Up Stakes Nov. 6 in next start on Tapeta. Edwin Gonzalez has the mount on Twelve Volt Man.
Trainer Michael Maker, who has saddled a record 18 winners of Claiming Crown races, will be represented in the Jewel by Paradise Farms and David Staudacher's Hanalei's Houdini . The 5-year-old Jersey Town gelding, who has raced for a claiming price as low as $16,000, will make his first start for his new connections Friday after being claimed for $50,000 out of a fifth-place finish at Keeneland. Paco Lopez has the call.
The Claiming Crown will also feature the $95,000 Emerald for 3-year-olds and up which have started for a claiming price of $25,000 or less in 2020-21, at 1 1/16 miles on turf; the $95,000 Tiara for fillies and mares 3 and up which have started for a claiming price of $25,000 or less in 2020-21, at 1 1/16 miles on turf; the $90,000 Canterbury Tom Metzen Memorial for 3-year-olds and up which have started for a claiming price of $25,000 or less in 2020-21, at five furlongs on turf; the $90,000 Distaff Dash for for fillies and mares 3 and up which have started for a claiming price of $25,000 or less in 2020-21, at five furlongs on turf; the $85,000 Rapid Transit for 3-year-olds and up which have started for a claiming price of $16,000 or less in 2020-21, at seven furlongs on dirt; the $80,000 Glass Slipper for fillies and mares 3 and up which have started for a claiming price of $12,500 or less in 2020-21, at one mile on dirt; the $75,000 Express for 3-year-olds and up which have started for a claiming price of $8,000 or less lifetime, at six furlongs on dirt; and the $75,000 Iron Horse Kent Stirling Memorial for 3-year-olds and up which have started for a claiming price of $8,000 or less lifetime, at 1 1/16 miles on dirt.
Gulfstream Park, Saturday, December 04, 2021, Race 3Entries: Claiming Crown Iron Horse Kent Stirling Memorial Starter S.
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Souper Fly Over (KY)
Mychel J. Sanchez
124
Harold Wyner
12/1
2
2Causalistic (KY)
Leonel Reyes
120
Diane D. Morici
10/1
3
3One Eyed Jack (KY)
Miguel Angel Vasquez
120
Enrique Amado
30/1
4
4Brasstown (KY)
Edgard J. Zayas
124
Antonio Sano
8/1
5
5Trappezoid (ON)
Chantal Sutherland
124
Jorge Delgado
8/5
6
6Blue Steel (KY)
Paco Lopez
120
Jeff A. Hiles
7/2
7
7County Court (KY)
Corey J. Lanerie
122
Peter R. Walder
15/1
8
8Zanesville (KY)
Emisael Jaramillo
124
George Leonard, III
5/1
9
9Uncle Curly (NY)
Junior Alvarado
122
Peter R. Walder
8/1
Gulfstream Park, Saturday, December 04, 2021, Race 4Entries: Claiming Crown Distaff Dash Starter S.
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Strong Odor (KY)
Jorge A. Vargas, Jr.
122
Michael J. Maker
9/2
2
2Odramark (KY)
Emisael Jaramillo
122
Kelly J. Breen
15/1
3
3Awsum Roar (NY)
Edgard J. Zayas
120
Antonio Sano
10/1
4
4Running Memories (FL)
Corey J. Lanerie
120
Joseph F. Orseno
4/1
5
5Richies Great Girl (FL)
Miguel Angel Vasquez
122
Larry Rivelli
5/1
6
6Beantown Baby (FL)
Mychel J. Sanchez
124
Arnaud Delacour
6/1
7
7Cat's Astray (FL)
Chantal Sutherland
120
Juan D. Arias
15/1
8
8The Great Kath (FL)
Victor Lebron
120
J. Kent Sweezey
30/1
9
9Payntdembluesaway (KY)
Paco Lopez
120
Jane Cibelli
7/2
10
10Follow Me Mom (FL)
Gaddiel A. Martinez
122
Micheal Mullings
30/1
11
11Drop a Hint (KY)
Edwin Gonzalez
122
Herman Wilensky
12/1
12
12Mudslide Wicked (KY)
Angel S. Arroyo
120
Maria Ines Mejia
30/1
13
13Anonymously (KY)
Emisael Jaramillo
120
Michael J. Maker
8/1
14
14Likely Choice (KY)
Jesus M. Rios
118
Jonathan Maldonado
20/1
Gulfstream Park, Saturday, December 04, 2021, Race 5Entries: Claiming Crown Express Starter S.
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Face of Victory (KY)
Edgard J. Zayas
122
Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.
4/1
2
2Uncork the Bottle (KY)
Paco Lopez
120
Rohan Crichton
5/1
3
3Hero Tiger (KY)
Emisael Jaramillo
124
Juan Carlos Avila
6/1
4
4Handsome Prince (FL)
Junior Alvarado
120
Ernesto Ochoa
30/1
5
5Kalu (KY)
Edwin Gonzalez
124
J. Kent Sweezey
6/5
6
6Star Juancho (FL)
Leonel Reyes
122
Enrique Torres
20/1
7
7Guaco (KY)
Miguel Angel Vasquez
120
Gerald E. Brooks
15/1
8
8Ellas My Love (ON)
Jose A. Batista
122
Juan Arriagada
10/1
9
9Aequor (KY)
Jorge A. Vargas, Jr.
124
Frank Russo
12/1
Gulfstream Park, Saturday, December 04, 2021, Race 6Entries: Claiming Crown Tiara Starter S.
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Kahiko (KY)
Paco Lopez
124
J. Kent Sweezey
4/1
2
2Centsless Drama (FL)
Emisael Jaramillo
122
Carlos A. David
12/1
3
3Passion Plus (FL)
Leonel Reyes
120
Elizabeth L. Dobles
15/1
4
4Bean Counter (KY)
Marcos Meneses
120
Antonio Sano
20/1
5
5Una Luna (FL)
Miguel Angel Vasquez
122
Steve Klesaris
8/1
6
6Toned Up (KY)
Angel S. Arroyo
122
Timothy A. Hills
20/1
7
7Classy Woman (FL)
Julien R. Leparoux
120
Moises R. Yanez
30/1
8
8Sugar Fix (FL)
Edgard J. Zayas
122
Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.
7/2
9
9Whimsical Muse (KY)
Jorge A. Vargas, Jr.
120
Michael J. Maker
3/1
10
10Starship Mallomar (KY)
Luca Panici
120
Oscar M. Gonzalez
12/1
11
11Isadorable Aida (KY)
Junior Alvarado
120
Carlos A. David
15/1
12
12Act Like Artie (ON)
Mychel J. Sanchez
120
Kelly J. Breen
8/1
Gulfstream Park, Saturday, December 04, 2021, Race 7Entries: Claiming Crown Glass Slipper Starter S.
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Don't Get Khozy (FL)
Leonel Reyes
124
Antonio Sano
4/1
2
2Chez Paree (KY)
Chantal Sutherland
120
Monica McGoey
20/1
3
3Dem a Wonder (FL)
Luca Panici
118
Rohan Crichton
8/1
4
4Trevess (FL)
Miguel Angel Vasquez
122
Laura Cazares
10/1
5
5Tiz Possible Dear (FL)
Angel S. Arroyo
124
Marcial Navarro
15/1
6
6Lavi (KY)
Edwin Gonzalez
120
Victor Barboza, Jr.
12/1
7
7Sweet Willemina (KY)
Silvestre Gonzalez
126
Scott A. Lake
5/1
8
8Let's Be Honest (FL)
Marcos Meneses
122
Enrique Torres
6/1
9
9Pretty Rachel (KY)
Paco Lopez
118
J. Kent Sweezey
9/2
10
10Willoughby Gap (KY)
Julien R. Leparoux
122
Jean L. Adorno
20/1
11
11Papa's Little Girl (FL)
Junior Alvarado
122
Jose Garoffalo
15/1
12
12Our Fantasy (FL)
Edgard J. Zayas
120
Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.
8/1
Gulfstream Park, Saturday, December 04, 2021, Race 8Entries: Claiming Crown Canterbury Tom Metzen Memorial Starter S.
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Tropicat (FL)
Chantal Sutherland
120
Ralph E. Nicks
10/1
2
2Bad Beat Brian (KY)
Emisael Jaramillo
120
Michael J. Maker
4/1
3
3Harry's Ontheloose (FL)
Leonel Reyes
124
Elizabeth L. Dobles
6/1
4
4The Connector (KY)
Corey J. Lanerie
120
Darien Rodriguez
20/1
5
5Henry's World (FL)
Edgard J. Zayas
122
Gilberto Zerpa
12/1
6
6Mystery Messenger (KY)
Julien R. Leparoux
122
Fernando Abreu
8/1
7
7Belgrano (KY)
Jorge A. Vargas, Jr.
126
Frank Russo
3/1
8
8Forest Survivor (ON)
Andrew Wolfsont
124
Yvon Belsoeur
20/1
9
9Xy Speed (KY)
Paco Lopez
126
Gerald S. Bennett
5/1
10
10Discreet Tune (FL)
Junior Alvarado
120
Carlos A. David
15/1
11
11Admiral Abe (PA)
Silvestre Gonzalez
126
Robert Mosco
12/1
12
12Dr. Shane (NY)
Mychel J. Sanchez
120
Jesus Cruz
30/1
13
13Gran Malbec (FL)
Miguel Angel Vasquez
120
Gerald E. Brooks
20/1
Gulfstream Park, Saturday, December 04, 2021, Race 9Entries: Claiming Crown Rapid Transit Starter S.
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1I'm a G Six (KY)
Rajiv Maragh
122
Aubrey A. Maragh
8/1
2
2Fortunate Friends (FL)
Jose A. Batista
120
Juan Arriagada
30/1
3
3Financial System (KY)
Edgard J. Zayas
120
Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.
9/2
4
4Motataabeq (KY)
John Bisono
120
Alison Escobar
30/1
5
5Pudding (FL)
Leonel Reyes
124
Elizabeth L. Dobles
7/2
6
6Star Sign (KY)
Silvestre Gonzalez
120
Robert Mosco
10/1
7
7Blessed Journey (KY)
Marcos Meneses
122
Carlos Luis Perez
15/1
8
8Miles Ahead (KY)
Paco Lopez
126
Edward Plesa, Jr.
3/1
9
9Well Defined (FL)
Luca Panici
126
Kathleen O'Connell
8/1
10
10Lookin At Roses (KY)
Mychel J. Sanchez
124
Guadalupe Preciado
10/1
11
11Legal Deal (FL)
Edwin Gonzalez
124
Carlos A. David
8/1
Gulfstream Park, Saturday, December 04, 2021, Race 10Entries: Claiming Crown Jewel Starter S.
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Ludington (KY)
Corey J. Lanerie
120
Peter R. Walder
8/1
2
2Hard Lighting (KY)
Marcos Meneses
120
Victor Barboza, Jr.
20/1
3
3Girolamo's Attack (KY)
Edgard J. Zayas
124
Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.
5/2
4
4Tune In (KY)
Leonel Reyes
122
Diane D. Morici
7/2
5
5Glory of Florida (FL)
Miguel Angel Vasquez
122
Laura Cazares
8/1
6
6Strike Appeal (KY)
Angel S. Arroyo
124
Odin J. Londono, Jr.
5/1
7
7Twelve Volt Man (KY)
Edwin Gonzalez
118
Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.
10/1
8
8Braccio Di Ferro (FL)
Emisael Jaramillo
118
Jose Francisco D'Angelo
30/1
9
9Mo Hawk (KY)
Chantal Sutherland
120
Juan Carlos Avila
12/1
10
10Hanalei's Houdini (MD)
Paco Lopez
120
Michael J. Maker
6/1
Gulfstream Park, Saturday, December 04, 2021, Race 11Entries: Claiming Crown Emerald Starter S.
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Mid Day Image (NY)
Paco Lopez
120
Luis Carvajal, Jr.
6/1
2
2The Last Zip (KY)
Jorge A. Vargas, Jr.
122
Michael J. Maker
5/1
3
3Attentive (KY)
Chantal Sutherland
122
Michael J. Maker
8/1
4
4Clear Vision (KY)
Julien R. Leparoux
120
Matthew Brice O'Connor
7/2
5
5Mandate (KY)
Andrew Wolfsont
126
Yvon Belsoeur
8/1
6
6Louder Than Bombs (KY)
Emisael Jaramillo
122
David Fawkes
15/1
7
7Kitten's Spa (KY)
Mario E. Fernandez
120
Jose Lozano Sanchez
30/1
8
8Max K. O. (FL)
Edgard J. Zayas
122
Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.
3/1
9
9Surf and Turf (KY)
Corey J. Lanerie
120
Odin J. Londono, Jr.
30/1
10
10Benelux (KY)
Jose E. Lopez
124
Christopher Davis
15/1
11
11Light Fury (KY)
Junior Alvarado
124
Ronald B. Spatz
12/1
12
12Go Mike (KY)
Angel S. Arroyo
118
Herbert Miller
30/1
13
13Call Curt (KY)
Marcos Meneses
120
Juan Carlos Avila
30/1
14
14Vow Me Now (KY)
Edwin Gonzalez
120
Edward Plesa, Jr.
10/1