Gaffalione bounces back from spill with graded stakes win

Jockey Tyler Gaffalione was involved in a scary-looking spill in a race last week, but fortunately for the recently turned journeyman, Gaffalione escaped with only minor bruising to his knee, missed only one day of riding, and bounced back with a bang by winning four races over the weekend, including Saturday’s Grade 3 Rampart with Cali Star for trainer Marty Wolfson.

Gaffalione is among the favorites to win the Eclipse Award as the nation’s leading apprentice in 2015. The son of former jockey Steve Gaffalione already has won 210 races this season, the most of any apprentice, for earnings in excess of $5.6 million, which is second among bugboys to New York-based Eric Cancel. His biggest day came in September, when he and trainer Ralph Nicks, among his biggest supporters all year, combined to win five races at Gulfstream Park. Gaffalione lost his five-pound apprentice allowance in October.

“It was just unfortunate what happened last week,” said Gaffalione, who appeared to hit his neck and back very hard on the ground. “It was an accident. The filly just broke a little too quick for herself, lost her footing, and went down. I had a couple of bruises, banged up my knee a little. That was the worst of it, so I took one day off, did a lot of therapy, and it’s fine now.”

Gaffalione finished third at the recently concluded Gulfstream Park West meet, his business slowing down a bit once he lost his bug.

“I know when these guys come down from New York, they’re going to get all the good mounts, so I just have to keep working hard,” said Gaffalione. “I have a lot of confidence in myself and my ability, and my agent [Walter Blum Jr.] has done a great job. I try not to think about the Eclipse Award, although it’s in the back of my mind. If it happens, it happens. Hopefully, I’ll just get nominated. For me, that would be a great honor in itself.”

◗ Even by his own lofty standards, perennial training champion Todd Pletcher has been red-hot to open the 2015 championship meet. Pletcher sent out two winners each on the Saturday and Sunday cards, giving him 10 for the session from just 22 starters. Eight of Pletcher’s 10 victories have come in 2-year-old races.

◗ Apprentice John Cruz made a name for himself Saturday, bringing in a pair of winners who lit up the tote board with triple-digit payoffs. Cruz, a native of Puerto Rico who won his first race here in April, guided Giant Cat to victory for trainer Luis Olivares in the second race to the tune of a $131.60 mutuel, then returned in the sixth event with Bella Nuesta, who paid $166.20 to win. Bella Nuesta is trained by Enrique Sanchez.

◗ There will be a $40,117 carryover in the Rainbow 6 when racing resumes Wednesday.