Quijote wins first start at Gulfstream

HALLANDALE BEACH — Moving Quijote to Gulfstream Park turned out to be a wise move by owner Midwest Thoroughbreds Inc.

In his first start over the track, Quijote pulled away from his eight rivals to win the $100,000 Big Drama Stakes by two lengths Saturday. The win in the 7-furlong affair for Florida breds, 3-years-old and upward was the gelding’s first stakes win.

The third choice at post time, Quijote enjoyed a near perfect trip by jockey Tyler Gaffalione, who rode two winners on the day. Gaffalione settled his mount just off of a moderate early pace set by Richard the Great and responded midway through the far turn when the pacesetter gave way.

In the stretch, Quijote dueled with favorite Mo Cash briefly then went on to win in a time of 1:21.98. Mo Cash claimed place money with French Quarter finishing third.

Trainer Armando De la cerda said that Quijote’s is the first of several horses owned by Midwest Thoroughbreds, Inc., primarily Florida breds, that will move to Gulfstream this summer. The connections can only hope each enjoy immediate success like Quijote, who was formerly based at the Fair Grounds.

“The owners decided to bring him here and I think it was a good idea,” De la cerda said. “He’s been running with top horses in New Orleans, Keeneland and Saratoga. They sent him to me about six weeks ago and I worked him three or four times to get him ready for this kind of weather. It can be cold in New Orleans.”

No surprise then that De la cerda said that the likely next landing spot for Quijote will be the Smile Sprint on July 1 at Gulfstream. The 6-furlong race, one of the co-features on Summit of Speed day, is a Breeders’ Cup Sprint “Win And You’re In” race.

“He ran good and his time was pretty good (today),” he said. “We had plenty of horse so we will see if we will go for that race.”