HALLANDALE BEACH, Florida, CMC—Veteran rider Patrick Husbands missed out aboard favorite Mad Madame Mim for Barbadian trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. in race one. He also came up short in all three outings on Friday’s nine-race card at Gulfstream Park.
Paired with the four-year-old brown filly in a mile and a sixteenth trip for the three—or four-year-old and upward fillies and mares, Husbands could only finish fourth as 9-1 choice Dubstep took the wire first by half a length.
The 50-year-old husbands, preparing for the Woodbine season, which will get underway next weekend in Canada, raced Mad Madame Mim off the pace in the early stages but has yet to kick on in the stretch.
The story was repeated in the $48 000 race six over a mile and 70 yards when the seven-time Woodbine champion finished third aboard 6-1 chance Swift Delivery for long-time Canada-based boss Mark Casse.
Again, Husbands raced the three-year-old gelding off the pace as 6-1 bet Dunes of Gold posted the fractions but found no rally when it mattered most, favorite Quester coming from a stalking position in second to hit the wire first 2-¼ lengths clear.
Husbands came closest to the winner’s enclosure in the next race worth $ 37,000 when he just missed out by a nose aboard 2-1 choice Lorenz for Joseph in a tight finish with the winner, 8-1 bet Swashbuckle.
Going a mile for the three or four-year-olds and upward, Swashbuckle produced the early splits with 7-1 chance Jerry’s Turn and 8-1 choice Centrodelantero chasing, and Lorenz sitting fourth.
Husbands moved into contention at the quarter pole when he hauled in the front-runners but failed to get by Swashbuckle.
and then 