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Barbadian trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. (CMC image)
Florida, CMC – Barbadian trainer Saffie Joseph Jr continued his steady progress at Gulfstream Park, winning twice on Saturday’s 11-race card to remain comfortably out front in the standings.
He tasted success in the race three over a mile and 70 yards, jockey Edgard Zayas steering 4-1 choice Mufrih to victory over the four-year-olds and upward.
And he followed up in race four over a mile when Irad Ortiz Jr carried favourite Lady Emily Kathryn to a narrow win over the four-year-old and upward maiden fillies and mares.
After not featuring in the evening’s two opening races, the 36-year-old Joseph won in his first appearance on the programme.
Six-to-one bet Belly of Jelly posted the early fractions of 24.47 seconds and 49.15, 3-1 bet Shake Your Bones stalking from second, 23-1 outsider Three One tracking from third and Zayas racing Mufrih off the pace.
Mufrih grabbed the lead at the quarter pole and then held well in the stretch, reaching the wire three-quarters of a length clear of Belly of Jelly.
Ortiz handed Joseph his second win, getting the four-year-old filly Lady Emily Kathrhyn to the front early to produce the early splits, under pressure from 5-1 chance Self Confident.
Heading into the far turn, Self Confident picked up the running but Ortiz got Lady Emile Kathryn back to the lead passing the quarter pole, and progressed well in the stretch to get home by half-length.
