Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
Maragh has long road ahead
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Thoracic fusion surgery for Romero Maragh has been deemed successful and the 18-year-old apprentice rider now faces a lengthy rehabilitation before he can return to the saddle.
Maragh underwent surgery Friday at Aventura Hospital to fuse five vertebrae (T5 through T9) following a Thursday spill at Gulfstream Park. Trainer Aubrey Maragh, his uncle, said doctors were “very happy with how the surgery went” and that Romero Maragh on Sunday “actually was on his feet, doing a little walking.”
“We all feel very fortunate,” Aubrey Maragh said early Monday. “Romero still has a long way to go. The doctors said he can go home later this week and then he will start rehab. They are saying nine months, at least, before he can start thinking about getting on horses. But yes, it is good news and we are very lucky.”
Romero Maragh was injured in a fall to the Gulfstream turf when his mount, Classic Act, clipped heels with Dixie Princess, whose jockey, Paco Lopez, drew a 30-day suspension from the Gulfstream stewards for the incident.
Romero Maragh, from a wellknown racing family that traces its roots to Jamaica, rode his first race on April 15, 2018, and had his first winner on April 28, both at Gulfstream. His current win total stands at 85.
Quarantine until mid-March
The quarantine of Gulfstream Barn 3 will remain in effect until mid-March, even though there is no apparent danger to horses stabled there. Track officials said a horse who recently tested positive for equine infectious anemia, or swamp fever, has been shipped off the premises to a private farm in nearby Davie. All remaining horses have tested negative for the disease, but a 45-day quarantine is mandated by the Florida Department of Agriculture.
According to Gulfstream, trainers with horses subject to the quarantine are Francisco D’Angelo, Troy Wismer, Bob Hess Jr., Jesus Lander, Milt Nunez, Angel Rodriguez, and Yvon Belsoeur. The quarantined horses are being allowed to train separately from the rest of the general population after regular hours conclude around 10 a.m. They also are allowed to race, but only in non-claiming events.
“It’s an inconvenience, but not that big a deal,” said Hess, who has three horses in Barn 3 while the remainder of his stable is next door in Barn 4. “It’s just a matter of them taking every precaution they’re supposed to.”
Who’s in Charge exceeds hopes
Armando De La Cerda suspected Who’s in Charge might be a good horse, considering the unstarted colt was competitive in morning works at Gulfstream West with the De La Cerda stable stars Jay’s Way and Kory.
But Who’s in Charge was matched against 3-year-old maidens from highly regarded barns in his debut last Saturday.
“I looked at the Racing Form and said, oh, too tough,” De La Cerda said. “I’ve only had the horse since late November and thought maybe I needed more time with him.”
Think again: Who’s in Charge dominated the six-furlong race from the opening bell, paying $50 to win. The son of Take Charge Indy is owned by the Midwest Thoroughbreds of Richard and Karen Papiese.
“He is very fast, but I think he can go longer,” De La Cerda said. “We will think about a stakes for him, maybe.”
Servis considering options
Jason Servis said Monday he has yet to decide on a next start for Call Paul, who overcame a sluggish start in winning the Grade 3 Swale here Saturday. It was the second graded stakes victory for Call Paul, following the Grade 2 Saratoga Special last August.
Servis also is still mulling his options with World of Trouble in the aftermath of yet another big Beyer (107) that the 4-year-old colt earned in the off-turf Gulfstream Turf Sprint on Jan. 26.
The highlight of the coming weekend at Gulfstream is the Grade 3, $150,000 Suwannee River for fillies and mares going 1 1/8 miles on the turf. It will be run Saturday, the same day as the Grade 3, $175,000 Endeavour for fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles on the Tampa Bay Downs turf.
The $100,000 El Prado, a 7 1/2furlong turf race for older horses, also will be run Saturday at Gulfstream.