Gulfstream Park notes: Black Oynx’s return delayed

Black Onyx, unraced since winning the Spiral Stakes last March, has had his comeback delayed after a minor setback several weeks ago at Palm Meadows.

“It was the same ankle he hurt right before the Derby,” trainer Kelly Breen said. “We sent him up to Ocala for a little rest. I’m hoping to get him back here before the end of the month.”

Black Onyx, a 4-year-old Rock Hard Ten colt owned by Sterling Racing, was scratched the Friday morning before the Kentucky Derby with a non-displaced chip of his left front ankle. He had four recorded workouts at Palm Meadows after returning to training last fall, the latest on Jan. 7.

Sullivan rides fourth winner

Carson Sullivan notched the fourth victory of his riding career when upsetting the Thursday opener on 14-1 shot Shalala for Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito. Sullivan, 28, is a fourth-generation rider and college graduate who played in an alternative-rock band before finally deciding to return to his racetrack roots. He works mornings as an exercise rider for Zito.

Sullivan’s fifth win means his apprentice allowance will go from 10 to seven pounds.

Zito closed out a $79.60 early double Thursday with Stephen A, ridden by Corey Lanerie.

◗ Frank Calabrese has fired Kirk Ziadie and now is employing Gamaliel Vazquez as the trainer of his sizable stable at Gulfstream. Until this week, Vazquez had not run a horse since 2008, at the end of his tenure with Michael Gill, the 2005 Eclipse Award-winning owner who no longer is in racing. Of Vazquez’s 251 career wins, 235 have been for Gill.

Calabrese has frequently changed trainers during his many years as a leading owner in south Florida and Chicago.