On a day where Gulfstream Park set a handle record for its Claiming Crown series of races, two-time Gulfstream Park riding champion Luis Saez captured six of the track’s 11 races on Saturday.
Saez, who won the Gulfstream Park riding titles in 2016-17 and 2017-18, won five of the nine Claiming Crown stakes races, including the $150,000 Jewel Stakes aboard 2/5 favorite, Jesus’ Team.
“I’m so blessed to be here. This is one of my favorite places,†he told Gulfstream Park. “This is like home. I’m happy to be here.â€
That’s understandable, considering this is where the 28-year-old Panamanian began his US riding career. What’s more amazing is this wasn’t even Saez’s best day at Gulfstream. He won seven races in a day twice during the 2017-18 Championship Meet. Last year, he finished second to Irad Ortiz Jr. for the track’s riding title – by two victories.
The year before, Ortiz beat him by one.
Jesus’ Team Gave Saez a Memorable Victory
Saez opened his Saturday account in the third race, winning the mile maiden special weight for juveniles aboard Fighting Force. That paid $5.80 for a $2 bet.
His biggest win came aboard Jesus’ Team ($2.80) in the crown jewel of the Claiming Crown races – the Jewel. That race was designed for horses 3-years-old and up who started at least one race for a claiming price of $35,000 or lower. It’s hard to comprehend a horse who finished third in the Preakness Stakes and second to Knicks Go in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile – albeit at 63/1 — slumming in such company. But Jesus’ Team started his career there.
He won a March maiden claiming race on his fifth try, then beat claimers again in May. That was Jesus’ Team’s last victory before Saturday.
Saez’s Highest Odds Horse Went Off at 3/1
From there, Saez piloted Jakara ($3.60) to the $90,000 Distaff Dash title. He followed with Queens Embrace ($6.60) in the $95,000 Tiara Stakes, then took Fyia ($3) to the winner’s circle of the $90,000 Canterbury. Saez wrapped up his memorable day riding Frost or Frippery ($8) to the $75,000 Iron Horse title.
While Saez was rolling on the track, Gulfstream Park was rolling to a record $14.6 million total handle. That bettered the previous mark of $13.9 million set last year. The track’s Claiming Crown program – designed to honor horses who climbed out of the claiming ranks – increased its total handle every year since the card’s beginning in 2012.