Gaffalione shakes off slow start, wins three Sunday

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Jockey Tyler Gaffalione got off to a slow start at Gulfstream Park, going winless from 28 mounts over the first six days of the session before coming to life by winning three races Sunday, including two for trainer Ralph Nicks.

Gaffalione, who switched agents at the beginning of the meet, guided the good-looking and well-backed 2-year-old filly Bones to a popular victory for Nicks in the second race and came right back to win the third aboard another first-time starter, Waves of Blue, for trainer David Fawkes. He completed the hat trick with Nicks’s Slot Player in the nightcap.

Gaffalione became the second rider in as many days to post a three-bagger. John Velazquez accomplished the same feat Saturday, winning three stakes races for trainer Todd Pletcher.