Saffie celebrates seventh title

CMC – Barbadian Saffie Joseph Jr wrapped up a remarkable seventh straight trainers title at Gulfstream Park, when the Royal Palm Meet finished at Hallandale Beach in Florida on Sunday.

The 36-year-old logged a double to finish the season with 66 winners from 220 rides, 11 ahead of closest challenger Jose D’Angelo, the pair having had a close rivalry throughout the campaign.

Joseph’s success comes in the wake of the controversy at Churchill Downs last May when he was suspended by authorities there, following the death of two of his horses.

He was subsequently reinstated in June, following investigations by Churchill Downs.

“This meet means a lot after what we went through in May and having to go through that experience,” Joseph said. 

“To keep the ball rolling and having our name cleared, which should have been done in the beginning, it means a lot. 

“The title means a lot. They all mean something but this one is right up there with the Championship Meet ones.”

Joseph, who arrived in the United States from the Caribbean 12 years ago, has already won the Championship Meet twice.

On Sunday, Joseph opened his account in a six furlong sprint in race six, go-to jockey Edgard Zayas steering favourite Concrete Glory to an emphatic 4-¾ length win over the four-year-olds and upward, in a gate-to-wire performance.

Concrete Glory recovered from a poor break to carve out fractions of 22.73 seconds and 45.80 for a two length lead, before pulling away at the eighth pole to win handsomely.

Zayas was again in the saddle again in race eight to give Joseph his second win, carrying another favourite Three Witches to a similar 4-¾ length win over the three-year-old and upward fillies and mares.

Going seven furlongs, Mistica Traviesta produced the early splits before Zayas launched his bid passing the three-eighths and opened up in the stretch.

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