Tyler Gaffalione started his day on Saturday at Gulfstream Park in the best possible way, a win in a graded stakes. He went on to win two more stakes races before capping off the 5-win day with the biggest prize of all, the Grade 1 Curlin Florida Derby.
A panel of racing experts voted Gaffalione Jockey of the Week for March 28 through April 3. The award honors jockeys who are members of the Jockeys' Guild, the organization which represents more than 1050 active, retired and permanently disabled jockeys in the United States.
Riding for trainer Brendon Walsh, Gaffalione was aboard Family Way in the G3 Orchid, the first of 10 stakes races on Saturday. Last of six, Gaffalione rallied Family Way on the turn into mid-stretch and powered past the leaders to post a 1-3/4 lengths win in 2:29.08 for the 1-1/2 mile race for fillies and mares four years old and up.
Trainer H. Graham Motion next gave a leg up to Gaffalione on Crystal Cliffs (FR) in the Sand Springs, a 1 1/16-mile race for fillies and mares four years old and up. Crystal Cliffs (FR) came from well back in the field of eight to easily win by 2-3/4 lengths.
“He (trainer Motion) told me to be patient with her today. He said just go ahead and let her run her race,” said Gaffalione. “I can only see her getting better from here.” Gaffalione then added a win in a maiden special weight for George Weaver.
Riding again for Brendon Walsh, Gaffalione won the Sir Shackleton aboard Weyburn. After stalking the early pace, Weyburn challenged for the lead in upper stretch and kicked clear for a 2-1/2 length win in 1:22.51 for seven furlongs.
“Everything worked to plan,” said Gaffalione. “He's a big strong horse cutting back in distance. Brendon (Walsh) told me, 'Don't take anything away and ride with confidence.' He did everything I asked.”
Gaffalione, who grew up in nearby Davie, Florida, saved the best for the last race of the day, the $1 million Curlin Florida Derby aboard White Abarrio for trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. Gaffalione rallied White Abarrio past post time favorite Simplification in deep stretch while holding off Charge It to win by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:50.64 for 1 1/8 miles.
“That was a childhood dream come true,” said Gaffalione. “It feels amazing. I'm just so thankful to Saffie and the team and the connections, the owners, for giving me this opportunity.”
Gaffalione's weekly statistics were 29-8-1-10 and $1,002,550 in total purses.
Other nominees for Jockey of the Week were Kendrick Carmouche with 10 wins, Florent Geroux who won three graded stakes including the G1 Arkansas Derby, Harry Henderson who led all jockeys with 15 wins and Irad Ortiz, Jr. who won 13 races including the G3 Appleton at Gulfstream Park.
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