Rookie trainer Dobles pulls off double stunner

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Elizabeth Dobles has had her trainer’s license for only a few months. But it didn’t take the 26-year-old long to make a big impression at Gulfstream, winning both ends of Thursday’s late daily double with longshots Arty’sbourbongirl and Swapl.

Dobles, who also gallops her horses, served as an assistant in New York for trainer Jeremiah Englehart before striking out on her own this winter.

“My boyfriend got a horse, and we wanted to run it in our own name, so that’s when I decided to take out my trainer’s license,” said Dobles. “Right now, I have five horses and one client, Imaginary Stables. But we’re planning to stay down here year-round, so I’m hoping to be able to pick up more owners and more horses to train.”

Arty’sbourbongirl was claimed by Imaginary Stables for $6,250 on Jan. 25 before being transferred to Dobles. She won under a $25,000 tag on Thursday, leading throughout to register an easy 3 1/2-length victory under apprentice Nicholas Figueroa.

“She’s trained very well since I got her, so I didn’t want to run her for a lower price because she’s been a very popular horse at the claim box, and I didn’t want to lose her,” said Dobles. “I expected her to run well and to possibly be on the lead with the seven-pound bug rider aboard, although I didn’t expect her to be that far in front.”

Swapl, the second half of a $312.40 daily double, was making her ninth start for Dobles, who turned the stretch-running filly back from two turns to five furlongs for the first time Thursday.

Dobles will look to make it three in a row on Sunday when she sends out Modern Tale as one of the favorites in the ninth race, an optional claimer for older horses. The 5-year-old Modern Tale won her never-won-three condition at a generous price of 7-1 last month by four widening lengths before finishing second, beaten a half-length, against open $16,000 claiming company in her most recent start Feb. 25.

“He’s a very versatile horse,” said Dobles. “He can come from behind or run in front, and he’s never run a bad race for me. I don’t expect him to be the favorite, but I do expect him to run well again.”

Arty’sbourbongirl provided a milestone for Figueroa, giving him his first win in the U.S. Figueroa, 19, won eight races in his native Puerto Rico before arriving locally less than four weeks ago. Figueroa hails from the same town, Carolina, as Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez. His engagements are being handled by Walter Blum Jr.

“My agent talked to me, asked me to come to Florida, and I said yes,” said Figueroa. “And I am very happy to finally get my first win at Gulfstream Park.”

◗ Curlin’s Approval, the easy winner of the Grade 2 Royal Delta here last month, tops a list of just 12 fillies and mares nominated to the Grade 2 Inside Information here on March 18. Other notable nominees include Grade 2 winners Dearest and Lady Fog Horn, the undefeated Clipthecouponannie, and Eskenformoney.