Clasico del Caribe favorite Justiciero works half-mile

MIAMI – Justiciero, the likely favorite for the $300,000 Clasico del Caribe on Dec. 9 at Gulfstream, turned in his first local work since arriving from Puerto Rico last week, breezing four furlongs in 50.30 seconds Wednesday. Justiciero, who swept all three legs of Puerto Rico’s Triple Crown earlier this season, completed his final quarter in 23.85 when set down at the end before galloping out five-eighths in 1:03.89.

Justiciero was one of five horses trainer Raymond Morales breezed Wednesday for stakes races on the Clasico Internacional del Caribe card. All five had to wait for the general population to leave the racetrack at 10 a.m. before being allowed to work, because they remain under quarantine since their arrival from Puerto Rico.

“He worked good,” said Morales, the son of trainer Ramon Morales, who was based at Gulfstream Park for two years earlier this decade. “He’s not a horse that works fast times in the morning. I’m excited being here and to represent Puerto Rico and my dad.”

Morales’s other workers were Platino (Clasico del Caribe), four furlongs in 49.78; Don Carlos R (Copa Confraternidad), four furlongs in 49.28; Catador (Copa Velocidad), four furlongs in 49.41; and Sanjuanera (Clasico del Caribe), four furlongs in 51.97.

Several Mexico-based horses also worked Wednesday, including Inspirato, officially three furlongs in 35.30 with a strong gallop-out for the Clasico del Caribe.

◗ Racing resumes at Gulfstream Park West on Friday following a four-day hiatus, with a nine-race card headlined by a first-level optional-claiming event at a mile on the turf for fillies and mares. Krazy Kathy is the likely favorite in the field of nine, which also includes Diamond Play, Teri’s Big Heart,and Fancy Kitten.

Friday’s card will begin with a carryover of nearly $25,000 in the Super Hi-5. The Rainbow 6 jackpot was hit Sunday, returning $141,835 to the only ticketholder who selected all six winners.