Gulfstream Park: Baffle Me learning her lessons

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Coup de Grace was one of four winners on Sunday’s card for Javier Castellano, who set a North American single-season earnings record here Friday. Castellano also captured the featured South Beach Stakes aboard the even-money Baffle Me for trainer Mark Hennig. For the third race in a row, Baffle Me rallied to victory from just off the pace.

[Clocker Reports: Get Mike Welsch’s clocker reports from Gulfstream Park and Palm Meadows]

“A year ago this time, you never would have dreamed of this filly sitting off a 48-and-change half mile,” said Hennig. “Javier said he almost rated her too much today. But it was perfect. It was closer than we wanted it to be, but I think she had something left if they had gotten to her. She’s just now learning to run with this style. I always felt if we could get her to slow down a bit, she’d finish.”

Despite a big weekend, Castellano will enter Thursday’s card still trailing leading rider Paco Lopez 16-14 in the meet standings. Lopez maintained his advantage by posting a riding double on Sunday. Luis Saez (7 wins), Dylan Davis (5), and Edgar Prado (4) round out the top five after the opening three weeks of the 2013-14 session.