Gaffalione's seven-win weekend propels him up standings

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Tyler Gaffalione, who will be aboard Fancy Liquor in the Tropical Derby and Treasure Trove in the Allen Jerkens here on Saturday, was the riding star last weekend, posting four wins on Saturday and three Sunday. Among those seven victories was a superb effort with Sleepy Eyes Todd to register a half-length decision over the favored Firenze Fire in Saturday’s Grade 3 Mr. Prospector.

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Gaffalione moved into sole possession of fourth place in the jockey standings. His 18 wins entering Christmas week put him five behind leader Luis Saez and within easy striking distance of Paco Lopez (22) and Irad Ortiz Jr.(19) in what promises to be a red-hot race for the 2020-21 Championship meet riding crown.

Sunday’s card also featured another sterling performance by a regally bred Todd Pletcher-trained first-time starter. Zaajel, a Shadwell Stable homebred 2-year-old daughter of Street Sense, drew away to a 7 1/2-length victory over stablemate Unbridled d’Oro, and received a 75 Beyer Speed Figure.

Zaajel’s impressive effort follows on the heels of debut victories for Pletcher by the 2-year-old Quality Road colt Prime Factor, who won by 8 3/4 lengths on Dec. 12, and Shadwell’s 3-year-old Ardham, a son of Union Rags, who drew away to an eight length win here last Wednesday.

Speaking of Zaajel, Pletcher said: “She’d been training forwardly. Seven furlongs is a good starting point for her, although she’s clearly a filly that wants more distance.”