Keystonetovictory captures Claiming Crown Emerald by a neck
Keystoneforvictory capped an eventful Saturday at Gulfstream Park with a narrow victory in the $125,000 Claiming Crown Emerald, the last of nine races in the 2016 Claiming Crown series at the south Florida track.
The only 3-year-old in a full gate of 14 turf routers, Keystoneforvictory held off late-running Flashy Chelsey by a neck in prevailing for owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey and trainer Mike Maker, the all-time wins leaders in Claiming Crown history in their respective categories.
Jose Ortiz was aboard Keystoneforvictory, a Kentucky-bred son of Shakespeare. The colt returned $8.60 to win as the lukewarm favorite after finishing 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.09 over a firm turf.
“I thought Jose did a wonderful job,” said Ken Ramsey. “This might be our horse for the Barbados Gold Cup in March.”
Keystoneforvictory ended a Rainbow 6 sequence that returned $1,698 for a perfect 20-cent ticket. The winning numbers were 8-1-10-7-3-4.
Marabea rallies to take Claiming Crown Tiara
About an hour earlier, Marabea ($15.60) launched a well-timed stretch run to capture the filly-and-mare counterpart to the Emerald, the $125,000 Claiming Crown Tiara.
Jose Lezcano was aboard Marabea, a British-bred 4-year-old filly who was claimed in early September by Farfellow Farm Ltd. for $25,000 at Saratoga. Near the back of the pack most of the way, she angled out for the drive and found a clear lane, passing Seeking Treasure and Be Playful with less than 100 yards to go and having enough left to hold off a belated rally by 37-1 shot Lobelia. The win margin was a neck and the final time was 1:45.43 for the 1 1/16-mile distance on turf.
Marabea is based in Maryland with trainer Lacey Gaudet, who was interviewed afterward by her younger sister, Gulfstream broadcaster Gabby Gaudet, for the track’s exported simulcast signal. It has been a terrific recent run for Lacey Gaudet, who is enjoying easily her best season since taking out a trainer’s license nearly 10 years ago.