Brazilian jockey Santana finding success in south Florida

MIAMI – Jockey Ivaldo Santana has wasted little time making his presence felt locally.

Santana, a 35-year-old native of Brazil, registered his first U.S. victory on Sunday across town at Gulfstream Park, came right back to spring a 30-1 upset on Wednesday’s opening day here at Gulfstream Park West aboard Miss Lotus Flower, and added a third win when getting Bama Bound up in the final strides to capture the second race on Thursday.

Santana posted more than 800 victories in Brazil and was the rider for Triple Crown winner Colina Verde there in 2006. He moved his tack to Singapore in 2013 and won the Group 1 Singapore Guineas with Stepitup.

◗ The eight-week Gulfstream Park West meeting got off to a soggy start, with the main track sloppy and the races off the turf for the first two cards, and with grass racing unlikely this weekend after several days of heavy rain.

◗ Tyler Gaffalione was the only double winner, jockey or trainer, on opening day, booting home a pair of favorites, the 1-5 Little Chesney in the third race and 8-5 Put the Boss Back in the sixth. Gaffalione is the leading rider in wins nationwide in 2017.