Bodexpress makes first start since Preakness on Monday
MIAMI – Bodexpress stole some of the spotlight from race winner War of Will after unseating jockey John Velazquez shortly after the start of this year’s Preakness, and he will race for the first time since the incident on Monday’s special Columbus Day program at Gulfstream Park West. Bodexpress, a 3-year-old son of Bodemeister, will be the odds-on favorite against five rivals in Monday’s second race, a maiden special weight event for 3-year-olds and up carded at one mile and 70 yards.
Bodexpress first hit the national spotlight when he chased Maximum Security from start to finish in the Grade 1 Florida Derby before checking home second at odds of 71-1. The performance earned him a 96 Beyer Speed Figure and enough points to qualify to start in the Kentucky Derby following the late scratch of morning-line favorite Omaha Beach. Bodexpress finished 14th (placed 13th) after prompting the early pace in the Derby.
Bodexpress, who dropped a neck decision to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint-bound Shancelot in a maiden race last winter at Gulfstream Park, was unsettled in the gate prior to the start of the Preakness. He reared when the gates opened, tossing Velazquez, who had absolutely no chance of staying aboard. Bodexpress proceeded to follow the field riderless and crossed the wire near the rear of the pack before being safely corralled by the outrider.
Bodexpress was given the summer off by trainer Gustavo Delgado before returning to his regular base at Gulfstream Park West. He has had six works in preparation for his return, including a pair of five-furlong drills over the past two weeks. Emisael Jaramillo will have the mount on Monday.
“We just wanted to give him a break, try to get the Preakness experience out of his mind,” said Gustavo Delgado Jr., who serves as an assistant to his father. “He had eight to 10 weeks in Ocala and he seems to be improving every week since he’s been back working again. You never know how a horse will come back after being on the Triple Crown trail, but he’s doing well, seems to have matured, and is giving off all the right signals at this time.”
