Diodoro making first appearance at Gulfstream

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – One of the new shooters on Saturday’s Claiming Crown Day at Gulfstream Park will be trainer Robertino Diodoro, who shipped three horses here, including Chris and Dave and St. Louie Guy for the Jewel.

Chris and Dave is coming off a high-level optional-claiming win in New York, while St. Louie Guy has been idle since finishing third in a conditioned allowance race at Delaware Park on Sept. 6.

Chris and Dave and St. Louie Guy tuned up for the Jewel by breezing three furlongs in company in 35.25 here Monday. Chris and Dave edged a length clear of St. Louie Guy galloping out a half-mile in 48.03.

Saturday will not only mark the first time Diodoro has run a horse in the Claiming Crown, but the first time he’s ever had a starter at Gulfstream Park.

“This is something I’ve been wanting to do for the last few years now,” Diodoro said. “We had a couple of horses last year I thought would go, but we never made it. But running in this event was always on my bucket list, so here we are. We’ve been looking at these races for several months. I had a couple of other options for Chris and Dave, but decided to come to Gulfstream with him instead. St. Louie Guy is a little bit of a quirky horse who runs well fresh, so once we made the decision to come to the Claiming Crown, we decided to do it right and give him the extra time.”

Diodoro will also run She’s So Fine on Saturday in the Tiara. Claimed by Diodoro for $25,000 out of a win in her last start, She’s So Fine blew out three-eighths here Monday in 36.84.

◗ Edgard Zayas held off a furious late rush from Paco Lopez to take the Gulfstream Park West riding title. Zayas held a 47-45 win advantage over Lopez at the conclusion of the 40-day session Sunday. Defending champion Emisael Jaramillo finished third. Saffie Joseph Jr. won leading trainer honors.