Golden Actor rolls to victory in Jean Lafitte

The decision to supplement Golden Actor to the $200,000 Jean Lafitte paid dividends Saturday night as the horse rolled to a 4 1/4-length win over Control Stake while earning first preference into next month’s Grade 3, $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot. Golden Actor invaded from Florida and will remain in town to train up to the Jackpot, said Jose Santos, the retired Hall of Fame jockey who serves as an advisor to owner Jamie Majia.

The Jackpot, a 1 1/16-mile race for 2-year-olds, will be run Nov. 22.

Golden Actor ($8.20) was supplemented to the Jean Lafitte for $4,000, said Santos. The horse entered Saturday night’s race off a 2 1/2-length maiden special-weight win Oct. 13 at Gulfstream Park West. The start was Golden Actor’s first at two turns after he debuted in a maiden special-weight sprint, running second in the race at Gulfstream.

“We have high hopes with the horse,” said Santos, who used to ride for Majia’s father when based in Colombia.

Golden Actor broke in a tad from his rail post in the Jean Lafitte and settled into a stalking position as Control Stake took the field through fractions of 23.20 seconds for the opening quarter and 48.23 for the half-mile. Golden Actor found an opening along the rail on the final turn, advanced to the fore into the stretch, and went on to cover the mile on a fast track in 1:39.82.

“He looked pretty good,” said Santos. “The horse will stay for the Delta Jackpot.”

Jose Gallego rode the winner for Ignacio Roncancio.

Golden Actor earned $120,000 for the win, his second from three career starts. He is a son of Curlin and a half-brother to Big Apple Daddy, a multiple stakes winner of $459,483. Golden Actor was bred in Kentucky by Catherine Parke, Susan Knoll, and Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings.

Majia races as Thoroughbred Champions Training Center. He has a farm in Ocala, Fla., said Santos, who captured the 2003 Kentucky Derby aboard Funny Cide.

Incremental finished third in the Jackpot, 6 3/4 lengths behind Control Stake. Big Big Easy, the favorite who pushed the pace, finished fifth in the Jean Lafitte.