Panamanian pair drill for Caribbean Classic engagements

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Dynamo is a Group 2 winner in his native Panama and likely to go postward one of the favorites in the $100,000 Confraternity Caribbean Cup in three weeks at Gulfstream Park. But that status didn’t earn the South American invader any special favors when it came time to work for the first time at Gulfstream on Friday.

Dynamo is confined to the quarantine barn at Gulfstream Park with about a dozen other horses who recently arrived from South America to compete on the first Caribbean Classic card to be held in the U.S., on Dec. 9. As a result, he had to wait until the general population had completed their training at 10 a.m. before he and his 3-year-old stablemate (and full brother) Senalero, were permitted on the course to breeze.

Breaking off at the fivefurlong pole, the pair posted early splits of 24.67 and 37.75 before completing the distance with a moderate tailwind at their backs in 1:02.72 over a track that had been pretty well chewed up by other workers and gallopers. They were also forced to alter course about halfway through their work to get around another of the quarantined horses, who was inappropriately galloping along the inside rail at the time.

Dynamo won the Group 2 Clasico Carlos y Fernando Eleta Almaran in Panama prior to finishing fourth in the Group 1 Clasico del Caribe in Puerto Rico to complete his 3-year-old campaign in 2016. Dynamo has made just one start this year, finishing third against Group 2 competition in Panama three weeks ago. Both Dynamo and Senalero are trained by Rafael Fernandez.

The $300,000 Clasico del Caribe will highlight the Caribbean Classic program, and nearly a dozen potential starters in the 1 1/8-mile test for 3-year-olds already are on the grounds at Gulfstream training up to the event.

Jaramillo wins four races

Emisael Jaramillo, who is a five-time winner of the Clasico del Caribe, increased his lead atop the local jockey standings by riding four winners including three in succession on Thursday’s card. The big day widened Jaramillo’s advantage to seven victories over Edgard Zayas for the Gulfstream Park West title with only six cards left in the session, which ends on Nov. 26.

“I’m not thinking about the number of wins but going race by race, focusing to get the best from each horse,” Jaramillo said on Thursday. “Of course, I’m happy to get good results during the day or the meet.”

Jaramillo, the all-time leading rider in his native Venezuela, moved his tack to the U.S. near the end of the 2015 season. He rode in his first Kentucky Derby earlier this year, piloting longshot Majesto to an 18th-place finish for trainer Gustavo Delgado.

Owner and breeder Ersoff dies

Stanley Ersoff, an owner, breeder and former president of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association, died earlier this week at the age of 81.

Ersoff is best known for having bred and raced Grade 1 winner Charon, who won 7 of 16 starts including the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks in 1990. She also won the Grade 2 Rampart and Bonnie Miss at Gulfstream Park, along with Laurel Park’s Grade 2 BlackEyed Susan while trained for Ersoff by Eugene Navarro.

A graduate of the University of Miami Law School, Ersoff also campaigned graded stakes winners Youmadeyourpoint and Band Is Passing. Ersoff also served as president of the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association from 1993-99, when several key pieces of legislation for the local industry were passed, including changes in workers’ compensation laws, full-card simulcasting, and the establishment of a sales medication reporting policy.

◗ Statebred fillies and mares will go six furlongs under optional claiming and firstlevel allowance conditions in Sunday’s $37,000 feature. The eight-horse field is led by Mighty Patient, who brings a modest two-race win streak for trainer Jason Servis; Italian Smile, who is returning to the area after campaigning this summer at Monmouth Park; and the lightly raced but improving Flora Fantasy, whose chances would likely be enhanced by a wet track.