Mr. Jordan romps in Millions Classic Preview
Mr. Jordan was a decisive winner of the $75,000 Millions Classic Preview at Gulfstream Park West Saturday. He paid $5.80 for his 11 ½- length victory over second choice Richard the Great in the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds and up bred in Florida.
A horse for the course, Mr. Jordan is perfect in four starts at the Miami Gardens oval. The 5-year-old son of Kantharos paid $3 when he easily won the Classic last year.
With Edgard Zayas riding Sunday, he sat just off pacesetter Jaiden’s Best, who posted a moderate quarter-mile time of 24.92 seconds. Mr. Jordan took over the lead at the half-mile call before opening up on the field while in hand on the stretch turn. He held a four-length advantage over Richard the Great at the eighth pole, and posted a final time of 1:45.47. Richard the Great stalked the pace, tried to make a run at Mr. Jordan on the stretch turn, but couldn’t keep up. Zipping, last early, rallied to finish third.
The winner’s share of the purse boosted Mr. Jordan’s earnings to $605,340. He has been trained by Edward Plesa throughout his 24-race career.
Bred by Philip and Karen Matthews, he is owned by David Melin, Leon Ellman, and Laurie Plesa.
It was the third stakes win and fourth overall on the day for Zayas.
The Millions Classic Preview was one of eight stakes that were featured on the 11-race Sunshine Millions Preview Day. The eight $75,000 races restricted to Florida-breds were a prelude to Sunshine Millions Day at Gulfstream Park Jan. 20. The first or second choice in the wagering won seven of the stakes races.
* First up was the Juvenile Fillies Sprint, where Tyler Gaffalione guided Silver Bay to a front-running neck victory over favored Starship Bonita in the 6 ½- furlong dash.
Silver Bay, trained by Willian Hickey, paid $6.60 and posted a final time of 1:19.37.
* Enterprising paid $4 for his 1 ¼-length victory over second choice Galleon Mast in the Millions Turf Preview. With Emisael Jaramillo riding, Enterprising trailed the field during the early stages of the 1 1/16-mile race, contested over turf rated firm, and won in 1:47.27. He is trained by Michael Maker.
* Wildcat’s Legacy paid $3.20 for his 3 1/4 length win over Highborn in the Juvenile Sprint. With Zayas riding for trainer Ralph Nicks, he posted a final time of 1:19.94 for the 6 1/2 furlongs.
* Following a stretch-long duel, Nauti Buoy edged The X by a nose in the Juvenile Turf. Ridden by Zayas, he paid $4.80 and covered the mile in 1:41.12.
Nauti Buoy was coming off a fifth-place finish in the Laurel Futurity and was making his first start in Florida. He is trained by Lilli Kurtinecz.
* Jose Batista brought Quijote from a stalking position to win the Millions Sprint Preview for 3-year-olds and up. He paid $9.60 and posted a final time of 1:11.60 for the six furlongs.
Quijote is trained by Armando De la cerda.
* Lirica paid $22.40 for her half-length win over April Grace in the Millions Distaff Preview. She was ridden by Marcos Meneses in the seven-furlong dash for fillies and mares.
Trained by Antonio Sano, Lirica posted a final time of 1:24.63
* Heavily favored Homemade Salsa was an easy two-length winner over Anabella Queen in the Juvenile Fillies Turf. She gave Gaffalione and Maker their second stakes win on the day. Homemade Salsa paid $3.80 and ran the mile in 1:41.78.