Gulfstream Park: Reveron caps big day for trainer Bezara in Gulfstream Park Derby

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Augustin Bezara started 60 percent of his five-horse stable Sunday, all three of whom won including Reveron in the inaugural $100,000 Gulfstream Park Derby.

Bezara was a leading trainer in his native Venezuela prior to coming to the United States two years ago. He’d already won the third race with Mommy’s Image and the fifth with Sweetlandofliberty before sending out Reveron to make his stakes debut in the first derby of the New Year in the United States.

Reveron, who closed out his 2-year-old campaign with a pair of easy wins at Calder, prompted the pace of longshot Nachas and Joy from the outset of the 1 1/16-mile Gulfstream Park Derby. Reveron, a son of Songandaprayer, assumed the lead on the far turn and then repulsed a stretch-long bid from Casual Trick to prevail by a half-length.

Casual Trick raced forwardly throughout, engaged for command at the top of the stretch, but could not get by the winner while finishing 5 1/2 lengths clear of King Kid who finished a tiring third. Ancient Rome, the tepid 3-1 favorite, was never a factor.

Reveron is owned by the Stipa Racing Stable and paid $19 after completing the distance in 1:44.74 over a fast track.

“He’s the best 3-year-old in Florida now,” said Bezara through an interpreter. “We’ll see how he comes out of this race before deciding where to run next.”

Bezara’s options include the Grade 3 Holy Bull at a mile on Jan. 29 or the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth at 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 26.

“I had to ask him a little bit in the first part of the race because the first turn comes up so fast,” said jockey Fernando Jara who has been aboard Reveron for all three of his wins. “After that, we were in good position and my horse dug in and wouldn’t let the other horse [Casual Trick] by.”