Trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr., who captured Saturday's GI Curlin Florida Derby with White Abarrio (Race Day), earned his first Championship Meet title at Gulfstream Park Sunday. Joseph closed out the meet with 58 winners, 12 victories ahead of Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, the defending 18-time titlist.
“Most definitely the Florida Derby was the icing on the cake. The Championship Meet title also means a lot. I grew up watching Todd my whole life. He's dominated for 18 years now. I'm 35 now. To take over from him after 18 years, I can't put into words what it means,” Joseph said. “I would just watch Todd win and dominate. He's a role model for any trainer who wants to look up to someone.”
With 122 wins, jockey Luis Saez reclaimed the Championship Meet title that had been held by Irad Ortiz Jr. for the past three years. Saez won back-to-back titles in 2016-2017 and 2017-2018.
“It's something very big for us. Florida is like home. It's the first place we came to,” said the 29-year-old Panamanian. “The third time is very special to us.”
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