WILMINGTON, Delaware, CMC – Barbadian trainer Saffie Joseph Jr logged perhaps his most lucrative win of the calendar year when 2-1 choice Honor D Lady stormed to the capture of the US$500 125 Grade II Delaware Handicap in the main feature at Delaware Park.
Going a mile and three-sixteenth for the three-year-old and upward fillies and mares on Sunday, jockey Jose Ortiz stalked with Honor D Lady from third before bidding on the turn, grabbing the lead at the top of the stretch and roaring to the finish 5-½ lengths clear in a time of one minute, 59.86 seconds.
Thirteen-to-one Saddle up Jessie ran on to be second while favorite Wet Paint came from last to snatch third.
For Honor D Lady, the win was her fifth in 13 starts and her third graded success following victory in the Remington Park Oaks last year and the Royal Delta Stakes last February – both Grade III.
“She kinda took the lead a little bit before I wanted her to, so I had to grab her and take the momentum away from her,” Ortiz said afterward.
“But I was sitting on many horses, and I appreciate Saffie for giving me the opportunity throughout the year.”
Honor D Lady survived a bump at the break to settle into stride in third, as 6-1 choice Abundancia pulled the field through the quarter mile in a leisurely 24.07 seconds before completing the half in 49.67.
Malibu Beauty, the longest shot in the race at 51-1, stalked from second with the trio Saddle Up Jessie, Queen of Missoula, and Wet Paint, keeping a close watch on the leaders.
Heading down the backstretch, Ortiz eased Honor D Lady off the rail and into the clear before surging on the outside to take out both front-runners and enter the lane in command.
Saddle Up Jessie chased desperately, but the four-year-old filly Honor D Lady widened her lead impressively to reach wire strongly.
Sunday proved a successful day for Joseph as the 37-year-old saw favorite Stat dismiss the three-year-olds and move upward by 1-¾ lengths to win the $ 100,000 Soldier’s Dancer Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
She was ridden by Edgard Zayas, the five-year-old chestnut gelding stalked pacesetter Themanupfront before grabbing the lead and passing the eighth pole to pull away.
The victory was one of four for Joseph on the 10-race card as he also took race one with favorite Nate the Great, race seven with 3-1 choice Mrs. Gambolini, and race eight with favorite Sunroof.
Joseph has stormed to 59 wins in the Gulfstream Park season to lead the championship by a whopping 29.
and then 