Hot Saez Wins Five More at Gulfstream Sunday
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Jockey Luis Saez continued his recent hot streak at Gulfstream Park by riding five winners on the Jan. 4 card.
Saez entered Sunday's 11-race program tied with three-time defending meet champion Javier Castellano at 21 wins apiece, but ended the day with a three-win cushion, 26-23.
The 22-year-old Saez captured the opener with Dreaming of Joey ($8) for trainer Ron Spatz, adding wins with Itsaknockout ($7.40) in the fourth, Very Few Details ($8.80) in the sixth, Season Ticket ($17.40) in the eighth, and Senorita Divina ($8.20) in the finale. He also finished second with Mademoiselle Belle in the second.
"It feels great," Saez said. "We try to win all the time when we ride the horses, and today the horses ran good. I had a good feeling today. The horses all tried so hard, and thank God we're doing good."
Saez enjoyed his sixth multi-win day since the meet opened Dec. 6. He has had at least one victory in 15 of the meet's first 22 days.
Heading into Wednesday's 10-race program, Saez has notched 13 winners from 37 starters (35%) over a five-day span. Among his wins this winter are the Old Hat (gr. III) with Ekati's Phaeton, the Spectacular Bid with Barbados, both Jan. 3, and the Claiming Crown Jewel with Catholic Cowboy.
A native of Panama City, Panama, Saez ranked third with 73 wins and fourth with $2.9 million in purses earned during the 2013-14 Gulfstream meet. In October, Saez's younger brother, 17-year-old Juan Saez, died from head injuries as the result of a spill at Indiana Grand.
"When we started here it was a little tough because of everything that happened with my little brother," Saez said. "We came in here and are working hard, and when the trainers give me the opportunity I try to win all the time. I have to say thanks to everybody."