Talented Blue Buff among 16 horses transferred from Orseno

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The eye-catching victory by Blue Buff in his career debut Saturday at Gulfstream Park resulted in short-lived joy for trainer Joe Orseno.

The next day, all 16 of the horses trained by Orseno for the DJ Stable of Leonard Green – including Blue Buff – were moved a couple of barns down at Palm Meadows and into the shed row of John Servis.

“The DJ folks told me they wanted to make a change,” said Orseno. “This is a tough one, I’ll tell you. What an unbelievably difficult business this can be. I’m numb.”

Bet down to 6-5 favoritism, Blue Buff, a gray 3-year-old colt by the late Unbridled’s Song, rallied to win the 5 1/2-furlong race by three lengths, earning a 74 Beyer Speed Figure.

“He’s as good a colt as I’ve had since Red Bullet and Macho Uno,” said Orseno. Red Bullet won the Preakness, and Macho Uno won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, both in 2000. “We took our time with this one, and now he’s all set.”