Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Horse racing
Late surge propels Jay’s Way to victory in Sunshine Millions Classic at Gulfstream Park.
HALLANDALE BEACH — Trainer Armando De La Cerda has seemingly found the secret to success for Jay’s Way.
In just his fourth start since transferring to his barn, De La Cerda had jockey Emisael Jaramillo send him right to the lead in Saturday’s $200,000 Sunshine Millions Classic. It was a strategy that paid off in his previous start with a win and, with the help of a bobble in the stretch by favorite Mr. Jordan, Jay’s Way was able to lurch ahead to post a half-length victory.
Jay’s Way broke on top of the small six-horse Classic field and led them out to a sensible half-mile in 47.50 seconds. In the final turn, Jay’s Way was challenged by Richard the Great with Mr. Jordan three wide.
Richard the Great backed out at the head of the stretch as Mr. Jordan swept wide for the lead but would drift inside the 3⁄16th pole. That put Jay’s Way on even terms and he would mount a late surge to win the 1 1⁄8-mile race in a time of 1:50.12. Catholic Cowboy finished a distant third.
After the race, De La Cerda said that he felt the horse was coming into his own in his third start since he took over his training, an allowance race win in December in which Jaramillo put him on the lead.
“I told Jaramillo to try and go in front again because that is the way he likes it,” De La Cerda said. “I know it was a mile and an eighth, but he’s been galloping 2 miles so I knew he wouldn’t be tired from the distance. Everything worked out.”
De La Cerda said that he would likely look for another restricted Florida bred race for Jay’s Way’s next start.
The Classic was one of four stakes on the Sunshine Millions card. In the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Turf, it was Galleon Mast outdueling Our Way at the wire to capture the 1 1⁄16-mile race in 1:40.68.
Both horses rated behind pacesetter Charlie Mops before Our Way, under Jose Ortiz, made the move to the lead out of the last turn with Galleon Mast, under Irad Ortiz Jr., giving chase. The brothers’ horses ran clear of the field to the wire with Galleon Mast getting a head up, giving Irad his third win on the day. Second Mate finished third.
Chalk prevailed in the mirror race, the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf, as Starship Jubilee won by a length over Daddy’s Boo. Jockey Jose Lezcano saved ground down the backstretch on Starship Jubilee as she stalked Daddy’s Boo, who set the pace.
In the far turn, Lezcano put her to the outside of the pacesetter and Starship Jubilee set sail for the wire. She covered the 1 1⁄16 miles in 1:41.03. Graceful Hart finished third.
The final stakes race of the card, the $100,000 Sunshine Millions Sprint, was no contest. Heavy favorite X Y Jet rocketed out of the inside starting gate and was never challenged as he pulled away to a 5 1⁄2-length win in the 6-furlong event. His winning time was 1:09.86. Mo Cash and Sweetontheladies finished in order behind. The win was the second on the day for Jaramillo.