Gabaldon begins journey to Royal Ascot on Saturday

Gabaldon embarks on his journey to Royal Ascot on Saturday when the 2-year-old leaves his South Florida base for Kentucky. He is bound for the Windsor Castle Stakes on June 19.

Gabaldon won his debut in last month’s Royal Palm Juvenile at Gulfstream Park and earned an invitation to the Windsor Castle, a five-furlong turf race. The colt will be the first Royal Ascot starter for the South Florida-based trainer Jose D’Angelo.

“I’m going to be there with my big hat,” he said.

D’Angelo said Gabaldon will be ridden by the Gulfstream-based Emisael Jaramillo. The horse is scheduled to ship overseas on June 11.

“He’s leaving on Saturday to Kentucky and from Kentucky to England,” said D’Angelo.

In the Royal Palm Juvenile, Gabaldon dueled through rapid fractions of 21.33 seconds for the opening quarter and 43.80 for the half-mile before covering five furlongs on turf in 56.20.

“The horse is doing very well,” D’Angelo said. “I’m very happy with the way he came back. He’s sharp. He’s ready. I think we have a shot, so let’s see.”

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Gabaldon, a Florida-bred by Gone Astray, races for Soldi Stable.

Rail post for Mama Maria

Mama Maria will have to deal with the rail post Friday when she starts as a chief contender in the featured eighth race at Gulfstream Park.

She’s part of a field of seven in the six-furlong, first-level allowance for fillies and mares. Mama Maria ran third at this level in her last start May 12.

“I would like to have an outside post, but it’s the post that we have and we have to be ready,” said trainer Jose D’Angelo.

Mama Maria broke on top from an outside post last time. She raced in third throughout. She will add a set of blinkers on Friday.

Edgar Perez has the mount for Gran Chanito Stable. Mama Maria is a daughter of Girvin who has brought home checks in all 12 of her starts, including two career wins.

“She always shows up,” said D’Angelo.

Sin for a Season, who is 2 for 2, could go favored off her recent first-level allowance win over Florida-breds.

Sin for a Season, who will break from post 6, has tactical speed and could get an ideal tracking trip from the outside gate. Miguel Vasquez has the mount for trainer David Fawkes.

Sin for a Season won her career debut last March at Gulfstream and after a layoff returned to action in a first-level allowance last month. In her most recent start, she earned this field’s best last-race Beyer Speed Figure, a 75.

Mama Maria earned a 70 for her effort last out. Euphima, the runner-up from the race, earned the same number and also runs back Friday. She will add a set of blinkers for trainer Steve Klesaris.

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