Veteran trainer David Fawkes has been forging his own path to the Gulfstream Park winner's circle while saddling five winners from five starters over the past two programs at the Hallandale Beach, Fla., track.
The South Florida mainstay, who has enjoyed much success on the national Thoroughbred stage, scored with his only two starters Saturday and his first three starters on Sunday's card. He swept the first three races on Sunday's nine-race card with Defendant ($3.60), Palomita ($5.60), and Golden Soda ($8.80), respectively. On Saturday, he visited the winner's circle after victories by Wild Irishman ($5.60) in Race 3 and Uptown Queen ($6.40) in Race 8.
“A lot of my horses are coming around – it was their turn – and the Tapeta hasn't hurt me at all. It's been very kind to me,” Fawkes said.
The first four winners in Fawkes five-race winning streak came over Gulfstream's newly installed Tapeta track.
“My horses have come out of running on it in great shape, and I haven't heard one negative about it,” Fawkes said. “I'm thrilled with it. They've done a good job. Congratulations to Gulfstream on that.”
Fawkes, who trained Big Drama, the 2010 Eclipse Award-winning sprinter and Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Sprint victor, and Sheer Drama, a multiple Grade 1 stakes-winning mare, enjoyed a personal best with his three-win day.
“Believe it or not, I had never won three races in one day before,” said Fawkes, who has saddled the winners of 1075 races and $38 million in purses. “I've won two and got beat a nose in a stake. I've had some good days but never won three in one day.”
Fawkes' winning streak came to an end in Sunday's Race 6, when Mony finished off the board.
Chantal Sutherland, who rode Fawkes' first two winners Sunday, added two more victories aboard Jorge Delgado-trained She Nasty ($14) in Race 7 and Royal War ($3.20) in Race 9, continuing to establish herself in Gulfstream's jockey colony.
Sutherland, who moved to South Florida over the winter, also won four races July 24.
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