Mr. Jordan Still Undefeated at Gulfstream Park West

Had the $75,000 Millions Preview Classic been run at a racetrack other than Gulfstream Park West, multiple stakes winner Mr. Jordan may have come up short in a bid to win the 1 1/16-mile stakes that headlined nine stakes for Florida-breds Nov. 10.

But a heads-up ride by Paco Lopez and a preferred racing surface resulted in a gutsy victory by a nose that extended the Eddie Plesa Jr.-trained gelding's perfect record at the Florida racetrack.

Now undefeated in five starts at Gulfstream Park West, the 6-year-old gelding who has earned more than $800,000 recovered from a slow break to get inside stalking position behind pacesetter Jay's Way around the first turn and along the backstretch, through fractions of :24.31 and :48.20 for the first half-mile. The son of Kantharos  lacked room on the turn into the homestretch, as Deland, the even-money favorite ridden by Emisael Jaramillo, got the jump on him and took the lead at the top of the lane. Lopez found room to the outside, and Mr. Jordan dug into his favorite racing surface and caught Deland at the wire.

"He's a little on the slow side breaking, but Paco got him up there, and on the turn he had him in good position. (Jay's Way) dictated the pace, and it looked like Paco was in a little tight around the three-eighths pole," said Plesa, who trains the gray gelding for David Melin, Leon Ellman, and Laurie Plesa. "When he had no place to go, he swung him to the outside and he ran the horse down. It was a great effort on the second horse's part. It was a greater effort on our part. He loves this racetrack."

Mr. Jordan, the 6-5 second choice, finished the distance in 1:45.21 to record his 10th victory and seventh stakes score. Deland finished 1 1/4 lengths clear of Noble Drama.

Lopez, who captured the TwinSpires Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) with Roy H at Churchill Downs a week ago, rode Mr. Jordan for the first time since he won an allowance aboard the gelding at Parx Racing in July of 2017. Lopez also rode Mr. Jordan in the 2015 Pegasus Stakes (G3) at Monmouth Park and the 2016 Millions Preview Classic.

"I'm so happy for the horse. He's a difficult horse to ride. He got a perfect trip for him," said Lopez, who won five stakes Saturday.

The rider also won the $75,000 Millions Turf Preview aboard Galleon Mast, the $75,000 Millions Sprint Preview on Kroy, the $75,000 Juvenile Fillies Sprint aboard Lovesick, and the $75,000 Juvenile Fillies Turf on Vow to Recover. Other stakes winners on the card were Shanghai Starlet in the $75,000 Millions Distaff, Jackson in the $75,000 Juvenile Sprint, and Picara in the $75,000 Millions Filly and Mar Turf Preview

Plesa said the $200,000 Sunshine Millions Classic at Gulfstream Park June 19 would likely be targeted for Mr. Jordan's next start.