Robin Goodfellow’s racing tips: Best bets for Monday, February 26
Mail Sport's racing expert Robin Goodfellow delivers his tips for Monday's meetings at Ayr, Plumpton and Wolverhampton.
Author: News
Jockey Club boss slams Government’s gambling check plan amid fears it will drive punters into the unregulated black market… and calls for an urgent re-think ahead of Monday’s Parliamentary debate
Jockey Club chief Nevin Truesdale has called for an urgent re-think by the Government on proposed intrusive financial checks on punters ahead of the Parliamentary debate on gambling regulation.
Career Win 1,000 for Saffie Joseph
Trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. earned the 1,000th victory of his career when Palace Zip (Palace Malice) won the 10th race at Gulfstream Park Sunday.
“It's amazing,” Joseph said after being recognized and posing for photos in a winner's circle ceremony. “I remember the first one and here we are at 1,000. The first probably 200 took five or six years and it was a struggle, and the last 800 have come pretty quickly. We've gotten the opportunities from the owners and that's what you need. Without the owners, you can't do it. There's no trainer without horses, and the owners produce the horses.”
A native of Barbados, the 37-year-old Joseph has won eight consecutive titles at Gulfstream Park since finishing second during the 2020-2021 Championship Meet. He is on track for a third straight Championship Meet title, leading the 2023-2024 stand in wins (47), starters (223) and purses earned ($2.37 million).
“We're only as good as what the owners give us. That's what makes trainers,” Joseph said. “We have to take care of them with the staff, and that's what makes me. I'm one person that is head of 80 people that make me and make us as a unit. It's not just me, it's a credit to the whole staff. It's a whole crew that makes this success possible and I'm very thankful to be in this position.”
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Timberlake Fine After Rebel Win, Next Start Undecided
WinStar Farm's Timberlake (Into Mischief) exited his win in Saturday's GII Rebel S. in fine shape, according to Jorgito Abrego, Oaklawn Park assistant to trainer Brad Cox.
“He looks good,” Abrego said. “Looks very happy.”
Timberlake, winner of last year's GI Champagne S. and fourth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile, collected 50 qualifying points for the victory and has 66 overall to rank number one on the Kentucky Derby leader board released Saturday by Churchill Downs. The Rebel was his first victory around two turns.
“I'm very happy,” said Abrego, who saddled Timberlake with Cox in Saudi Arabia for Saturday's G1 Saudi Cup. “First time running as a 3-year-old. It's a good start for getting him to the Kentucky Derby.”
Timberlake is expected to ship back to Cox's Fair Grounds base Monday and his next start is still to be determined.
The Rebel victory continued Cox's domination of Oaklawn's Derby prep races. Since 2021, the trainer has won seven of the track's last 15 points races. He won Oaklawn's first 2024 Kentucky Derby points race, the Jan. 1 Smarty Jones S., with Catching Freedom (Constitution).
“I love it,” Abrego said with a laugh. “Keep it going. Never stop.”
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