Joseph runners first to work over new turf course

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - The Gulfstream Park Turf course, which underwent a complete renovation that began two months after the conclusion of the 2022-23 Championship meeting, passed its first serious test with flying colors after jockeys Edgard Zayas and Luca Panici worked the Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained duo of General Ledger and Sunshine Frolic over the freshly sodded strip at the end of training hours on Monday.

General Ledger, with Panici up, and the 3-year-old Sunshine Frolic piloted by Zayas, both maiden winners, breezed four furlongs over the firm strip in 48.00 while kept about 10-15 feet off the inner rail throughout. The 2-year-old General Ledger jumped a shadow on the course, without incident, approaching the wire.

“The horses got over it well,” said Joseph, who on Saturday finished in a tie for the 2023 summer-fall meet training title along with colleague Victor Barboza Jr. “My one horse jumped a shadow but he handled it well. It obviously hasn’t been used in ages. It’s a brand new course. It’s a big, fresh piece of ground.

“It did come up a little bit, which is, obviously, something you want to monitor when more horses come over it. But it’s in great shape now. Hopefully they will take care of it early on and give it enough time to be as good as it looks.”

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Joseph said he used the opportunity to be the first to work over the course to see how his horses, neither of whom have raced on grass, would take to the turf.

“Both of these horses most likely want to run on the grass. General Ledger obviously disappointed in his last start [beaten 17 lengths on dirt in the Juvenile Sprint] but he handled it nicely and, off of this, I might try him next time in the stakes,” said Joseph, referring to the $100,000 Pulpit here on Dec. 9.

Zayas, who captured yet another riding title during the Sunshine Meet that concluded Saturday, was full of praise for the new course.

“It feels great. It’s beautiful,” said Zayas. “I can’t wait to ride on it Friday. “Right now, the turf isn’t dry. It’s nice and moist. They got over it great. I can’t wait. I love turf racing. It’s my favorite. I’m really excited about the new turf and I’m excited turf racing is back.”

A pair of races have been carded over the new course when the Championship meet opens on Friday with three more scheduled, weather permitting, for both Saturday and Sunday. Among those entered to race on the grass opening weekend is the reigning Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational winner Atone, who will return here under allowance conditions in Saturday’s eighth race.

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