Pletcher, Castellano Take Gulfstream Titles

Trainer Todd Pletcher, jockey Javier Castellano, and owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey were honored by Gulfstream Park April 1 for leading their respective standings during the 2015-2016 championship meet.

 

The 85-day meet, the highlight of which is the 14-race Florida Derby (gr. I) card Saturday, concludes April 3.

 

Pletcher ended Friday's program tops in wins (61) and purse earnings ($3.04 million), giving him an unprecedented 13th consecutive training title. He also set Gulfstream's overall record, surpassing Arnold Winick, who won 12 titles between 1959 and 1973.

 

"When you're able to string something together like that, it makes it a little more meaningful," Pletcher said. "We appreciate how hard any of them are to win and it's a great team effort. A lot of people doing a lot of work and having a lot of good horses is the main thing."

 

Pletcher also reached 4,000 career victories with Eagle Scout March 18 at Gulfstream.

 

 

"It's been a great meet for us from a number of standpoints," Pletcher said. 

            

Castellano had 112 wins at the end of Friday's racing, good for his fifth consecutive title, each with at least 100 wins. He also was first with $3.8 million in purse earnings.

 

"I always had the dream to be leading jockey at Gulfstream Park," Castellano said. "It's a very prestigious honor to participate with the best jockeys in the country. It's a tough colony. They come from everywhere. I have a lot of support and I've been very lucky in my life. I've been able to ride a lot of good horses."

 

The Ramseys, of Ramsey Farm near Nicholasville, Ky., earned their fourth straight owner title, leading the standings with 29 wins and $882,239 in purse earnings.