Trainer Mitchelhill gets big victory with Quijote

MIAMI – Quijote kept his record perfect at Gulfstream Park West while giving trainer Sally Mitchelhill her second victory since 2015 by rallying to a six-length victory in Sunday’s main event.

Quijote was transferred to Mitchelhill’s barn at Gulfstream Park earlier this summer by Midwest Thoroughbreds, which has the majority of its local stable at Gulfstream West with Armando De La Cerda. Mitchellhill, a former jockey, became trainer of record and won five races when Kirk Ziadie had his license revoked by Florida in 2015. She returned with a small stable of her own earlier this summer.

“I’ve had Quijote since I started back a few months ago,” Mitchelhill said. “And I’m so grateful for Midwest to give me the opportunity they have with this horse. We’re kind of a two-man gang around the barn. I get on all the horses and my groom, Rene Reyes, does just an amazing job.”

Quijote, who won the 2017 Sunshine Millions Sprint Preview last fall at Gulfstream West for De La Cerda, had made one previous start for Mitchelhill, finishing third behind the odds-on Cautious Giant in the Trinniberg Stakes last month at Gulfstream Park. He had finished off the board in five subsequent starts to open his 2018 campaign.

“Sometimes a change in scenery can do an older horse like this some good, which is one reason they sent him over to me here at Gulfstream,” Mitchelhill said. “He’s been doing so good, eating so well, and after I breezed him here for this race I knew he’d run big, especially since he’d already shown he loved that track. The wet track didn’t hurt us, either.”

Mitchelhill said she’ll wait and see how Quijote, who earned a 90 Beyer Speed Figure for his win Sunday, comes out of the race before making a decision about his next start, although she said defending his title in the Sunshine Sprint Preview would probably be the most logical spot.

“The Midwest people have been nothing but nice with me, so I’m really happy to have been able to do well for them so far,” Mitchelhill said. “Armando does such a great job, although I’d love to be able to get a few more horses from them down the road.”

Gulfstream handle up

Gulfstream Park announced an increase in handle of $50 million during the recently concluded spring-summer meet over the corresponding period a year ago. Total handle for the spring-summer sessions was $783 million in 2018.

“We’re pleased with the way our spring and summer meets continue to attract horsemen throughout North America and bettors both ontrack and online,” Gulfstream general manager Bill Badgett said.

“With the Florida Sire Stakes and Florida summer racing program continuing to grow, and with more entertainment options throughout the entire year at the facility, we’re excited about the future of year-round racing at Gulfstream as well as this fall season at Gulfstream Park West.”