Gulfstream Park: General a Rod wins Derby; Tapicat takes Voodoo Dancer

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – It was a happy new year indeed Wednesday for trainer Mike Maker as well as for fans and backers of jockey Joel Rosario, who drove General a Rod to a head-bobbing victory over a game Wildcat Red in the $100,000 Gulfstream Park Derby for the rider’s fourth winner of the day.

General a Rod completed a sweep of the two stakes on Gulfstream’s New Year’s Day program for Rosario, who also won the $100,000 Voodoo Dancer aboard the 4-5 Tapicat.

General a Rod, a son of Roman Ruler, turned in a courageous effort to capture the first derby of 2014. Forced to race wide throughout after breaking from the extreme outside in the nine-horse Gulfstream Park Derby field, General a Rod stalked the leaders from the outset and challenged Wildcat Red for command at the top of the stretch before proving best by a head at the wire.

Wildcat Red had crossed the finish line first in all three of his previous starts but was disqualified from an apparent victory in the Sunshine Millions Juvenile Sprint Preview for bearing out in deep stretch. As expected, Wildcat Red set the pace from the rail, dug in bravely once engaged by the winner in early stretch, and just failed while drifting out once again through the closing stages.

East Hall raced forwardly and finished third, with Pablo Del Monte, the tepid 5-2 favorite, a tiring fourth.

General a Rod is trained by Maker for owner J. Armando Rodriguez. Second in his previous start behind the well-regarded Conquest Titan, General a Rod completed a mile over the fast track in 1:35.84 and paid $9.60.

“He’s always showed great promise,” Maker said. “He’s a big, immature colt, but since his last race, he’s made no mistakes. We were looking for a big effort today, and we got it. He was second-best last time to a horse who was a bit more experienced and coming out of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, but he ran great.”

Maker said he absolutely believes General a Rod will successfully stretch out around two turns but did not commit to a specific race for his next start.

“Everything’s a possibility,” Maker said. “I’ll talk it over with my owner, but my first inclination is to leave him right here.”

Tapicat registerd her first victory in 11 months when rallying from off the pace to a half-length victory over pacesetter She’s Spooky in the $100,000 Voodoo Dancer for 4-year-old fillies on turf. Coarsegold finished another neck back in third.

Tapicat, a daughter of Tapit, carried the high weight of 123 pounds to her first win since capturing the Grade 3 Florida Oaks last February at Tampa Bay Downs. Tapicat is trained by Bill Mott for Besilu Stables and returned $3.80.