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Claiming Crown: Fiya Wins Fifth In A Row; Jakarta Rallies In Distaff Dash

Robert Masiello's Fiya blazed to victory in Saturday's $90,000 Claiming Crown Canterbury at Gulfstream Park, collecting his fifth straight victory since being transferred to turf.

The Canterbury was one of nine stakes in the 22nd edition of the Claiming Crown, an annual event that pays tribute to claiming horses that provide the backbone of day-to-day racing programs at racetracks throughout the country.

Tom Albertrani-trained Fiya was in control throughout the five-furlong turf race for horses that started for a claiming price of $25,000 or lower in 2019-2020, scoring by 1 ½ lengths while providing jockey Luis Saez with his fifth of six victories on Saturday's program.

“He really is an incredible turf horse, since we've seen him go from dirt to turf, he just does things so easily,” Albertrani said. “From the first day I got him in the barn, I fell in love with him. He got my attention right away and looked like a superstar.”

Fiya broke cleanly from his No. 1 post position and quickly opened a clear lead on the backstretch and was never threatened thereafter.

“He's a special horse. When I rode him for the first time at Belmont, he showed me a lot of ability. I couldn't wait to be on him today,” Saez said. “He broke from there fast and took the lead. I know he was rolling, but he loves to run. I just let him run into the stretch and he just took off by himself.”

Fiya, who ran five furlongs in 55.63 seconds, finished second and third on dirt in his first two career starts at Laurel, where he came back to break his maiden in his turf debut and win an allowance race. Purchased for $400,000 during the July 2020 Wanamaker's Online Auction and transferred to Albertrani, Fiya captured a Belmont allowance and the Maryland Million Turf Sprint at Laurel before capturing the Canterbury.

“Competition-wise for Claiming Crown, this was a good group of horses. He's an impressive horse,” Albertrani said. “Every time he runs, he just seems to run better and better. I think we'll give him a break now and bring him back later next year.”

Fully Loaded, who was closest in pursuit of Fiya throughout the race, finished second 1 ¼ lengths ahead of Harry's Ontheloose.

Jakarta Rallies to Win Distaff Dash
Three Diamonds Farm's Jakarta, third in the Buffalo Trace Franklin County (G3) in October, rallied under jockey Luis Saez to win the Distaff Dash, covering five furlongs in :56.48 over a firm turf course.

A 5-year-old mare who won the Powder Break over this course in May, Jakarta provided trainer Mike Maker with his record 18^th victory in the Claiming Crown.

“Claiming Crown is always a fun day, a little different without fans this year,” Maker said. “I was glad to do it with Jakarta. She's been a great filly for us all year, so it's very rewarding. She didn't get away today as quick as she usually does, but her class prevailed.”

Jakarta raced third entering the turn behind the pacesetter My Sarasota Star before driving to the lead inside the final eighth. It was Jakarta's eighth victory in 18 starts. The Distaff Dash was open to fillies and mares who had started for a claiming price of $25,000 less in 2019-20.

Jakarta, who returned $3.60, was 2 ¼ lengths in front of Unaquoi, who rallied from 10^th for the place. Thinkin Cowtown was third.

Walder's $6,250 Claim Wins $80,000 Glass Slipper
Walder Racing's Descente, claimed for $6,250 Oct. 18, drove past favored stablemate and defending champion Liza Star around the turn to win the $80,000 Glass Slipper by 3 ¾ lengths. Don't Get Khozy was second and Sky Chaser third.

Trained by Peter Walder and ridden by Miguel Vasquez, Descente was rated in second behind Liza Star past an opening quarter in :23.58 before taking the lead around the turn past a :45.89 half mile. The 4-year-old daughter of Bodemeister was driven home from there and returned $9.20.

The filly, who had been claimed in six of her last eight starts, covered the mile in 1:36.99. It was her seventh victory in 24 starts, boosting her earnings to $176,260. The Glass Slipper was for fillies and mares who had started for a claiming price of $12,500 in 2019-2020. Walder also won the Glass Slipper in 2015 with Moonshine Promise.

Queens Embrace Wears the Tiara
Spedale Family Racing LLC and Flying P Stable's Queen Embrace, claimed out of her last race at Aqueduct for $80,000, provided jockey Luis Saez with his fifth winner of the day, closing from eighth to win the $95,000 Tiara by 2 ¾ lengths over favored Sugar Fix.

Queens Embrace covered the 1 1/16 mile turf course in 1:40.26. It was the 3-year-olds sixth win in 12 starts. The daughter of Real Solution broke her maiden at Tampa in January for a $16,000 claiming tag. The Tiara was open to fillies and mares who had started for a claiming price of $25,000 or less the last two years.

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High Noon Rider Uncorks 60-1 Shocker In Claiming Crown Emerald

GenStar Thoroughbreds' High Noon Rider, having spent the summer and early fall on the road, returned home to register the biggest win of his 55-race career with a shocking 50-1 upset of the $95,000 Claiming Crown Emerald Saturday at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla.

The 1 1/16-mile Emerald on turf for 3-year-olds and up which have started for a claiming price of $25,000 or less in 2019-20 was the fifth of nine starter stakes on the $835,000 Claiming Crown program.

This marked the ninth straight year at Gulfstream and 22nd overall for the Claiming Crown, created in 1999 to celebrate the blue-collar horses that are the foundation of the racing industry nationwide.

It was the first career Claiming Crown victory for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. The runner-up, 2-1 favorite Temple, was one of five horses in the field trained by Mike Maker, the event's all-time leader with 18 wins including seven in the Emerald.

“We're just thankful,” Joseph said. “We've claimed horses that won graded-stakes, but had never won a Claiming Crown race. It's good to get it done finally. He's a cool, old horse. To be honest, I didn't think he was coming in at his best so the confidence wasn't there. We're thankful and blessed. He stepped up and ran the race of his life today.”

Jockey Edgard Zayas settled High Noon Rider well behind Grade 3-winning stablemate Tusk, racing for the first time in 11 months, who posted fractions of 25.10 and 48.77 seconds pressed by Maker-trained Hieroglyphics and Over the Channel three wide. Hierolyphics assumed the top spot on the turn and went six furlongs in 1:11.74 with Over the Channel poised to strike, but Zayas worked his way outside and High Noon Rider powered through the stretch once in the clear.

“Saffie told me before the race this horse had a really good kick on him,” Zayas said. “Once on the turn, I cut the corner and I was following Temple through the corner. I knew Tyler had a lot of horse and he was the horse to follow, really. I was just trying to save enough until I got into the stretch and once he got into the clear he kicked on really hard from there.”

It was the sixth win with one second and one third from 10 lifetime tries at Gulfstream for High Noon Rider, an 8-year-old Distorted Humor gelding whose last victory came in a 1 1/8-mile optional claimer June 28 over the course. The victory pushed his career bankroll over the $600,000 mark.

“He's just a horse for course, honestly. If you see his numbers before he left Gulfstream this year, they were good. Then we got ambitious. We went all around with him and he kind of lost his way. Today, he ran back his best race,” Joseph said. “I got so excited jumping up, my chest was hurting me after. Edgard gave him a dream trip, saved every kind of ground and got him out when he needed to.”

Maker-trained horses finished second through fifth, as Temple and defending champion Muggsamatic dead-heated for second with Artie's Rumor fourth and Hieroglyphics fifth.

Defending Riding Champ Ortiz, Krsto Skye Claim Express
Krsto Skye, second in September in the Smile Sprint (G3) and third last time out in the De Francis (G3), led gate-to-wire under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. to win the $75,000 Express, covering six furlongs in 1:10.14.

Owned by Daniel Feit and Carlos David and trained by David, Krsto Skye broke from the rail and set fractions of :22.35 and :45 before driving home 1 1/4 lengths in front of Whyruawesome. for his 14th victory in 61 starts. David claimed the 8-year-old gelding in February for $16,000 out of a five-furlong turf race at Gulfstream.

For Ortiz, it was his first win of the Championship Meet. He is the two-time defending riding champion.

“It feels great to be back at Gulfstream,” Ortiz said. “It feels great to have the support from the owners and trainers here. This is a nice horse. Carlos told me to let him do his thing in you can control the pace from the inside post. He put me in a good position, so I just held it there and when it was time to go he responded very well.”

The race was for horses that have started for an $8,000 claiming price at any time during their careers.

Avant Garde Gets Up in Time for Rapid Transit Win
Gelfenstein Farm LLC's Avant Garde, a 3-year-old gelded son of Tonalist, drove up the rail under jockey Leonel Reyes to win the $85,000 Rapid Transit by a half-length over Town Classic.

Trained by Jesus Lander, Avant Garde's only loss since claimed by Lander for $10,000 in June was a fourth-place finish Sept. 27 in the Oklahoma Derby (G3).

Avant Garde broke second to last but was moved up quickly to fourth by Reyes down the backstretch while Fix Me a Sandwich was taking the field through the opening quarter in :22.14. Entering the stretch, Town Classic took the lead after moving three-wide around the turn, but Reyes and Avant Garde drove to the front in the final 50 yards along the rail for the win, covering seven furlongs in 1:21.98.

The Rapid Transit was open to horses who had started for a claiming price of $16,000 or less over the last two years.

Frost of Frippery Takes the Iron Horse
Frost or Frippery, a 7-year-old gelding trained by Brad Cox, shipped in from Kentucky to win the $75,000 Iron Horse over a late-closing Bobby G. The victory was jockey Luis Saez's sixth of the afternoon. The victory for the son of Lewis Michael was No. 21. The gelding has now placed first, second or third in 46 of 66 career starts.

Frost or Frippery, owned by Steve Landers Racing LLC, covered the 1 1/16 mile in 1:44.57.

The Iron Horse was open to horses who had started for $8,000 or less during their careers.

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Solid Cast of Overachievers Shines in Claiming Crown

Short-money favorites getting class relief while dropping out of graded stakes company set the tone in the nine-race Claiming Crown (CC) series Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

Luis Saez won six races overall (five in CC stakes), and trainer Mike Maker was one of nine separate trainers to hit the winner’s circle in the CC races, posting his 18th career CC win to lead the series that began back in 1999 as a blue-collar version of the Breeders’ Cup.

Conducted under starter-allowance conditions pegged to previous-race claiming prices, the CC is designed to honor and reward horses who compete in the types of races that form the backbone of day-to-day American racing. The annual event is a partnership between the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (NHBPA) and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA), and Gulfstream has evolved into the host track over the past nine years while slotting the series as the opening-weekend focal point of its championship winter meet.

As usual, many of Saturday’s CC winners could have been had at the claim box earlier in their careers for relatively low asking prices prior to rounding into higher-profile overachievers.

Jesus’ Team (Tapiture), the grind-it-out 2-5 winner of the featured $150,000 CC Jewel S. over nine furlongs, is the prime example. The 3-year-old colt broke his maiden for $32,000 at Gulfstream last March and was then dangled for a $25,000 tag with no takers when airing at the NWL2 level. He consistently punched above his weight during 2020 while earning top-four placings in Grade I and II stakes, including a 40-1 third in GI Preakness S. and second at 62-1 in the GI Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.

Saez kept Jesus’ Team parked at the rail behind legitimate splits, tipping out at the head of the lane for a length-of-stretch reeling in of the pacemaker and a three-quarters of a length score.

Trainer Jose D’Angelo said post-win that the Grupo 7C Racing Stable color bearer will now target the Jan. 23 GI Pegasus World Cup over the same Gulfstream surface that has accounted for all three career wins for Jesus’ Team.

Jakarta (Bustin Stones), the 4-5 victress of the $90,000 CC Distaff Dash S. over five furlongs on the turf, is another admirable rise-through-the-ranks tale. She toiled at the $16,0000 claiming ranks at Penn National as recently as 15 months ago, then improved enough to take a crack at tougher graded company in New York, Kentucky, and Canada during most of 2020.

Jakarta customarily heads straight to the front (on top at first call in 13 of 17 lifetime races), but she came away tardily on Saturday before rallying behind a 23-1 sacrificial speedster to open up late and win by 2 1/4 lengths for owner Three Diamonds Farm, trainer Maker, and jockey Saez.

Krsto Skye (City Zip) wired the $75,000 CC Express S. over six furlongs as the 3-5 favorite, continuing Saturday’s “dominant dropping faves” trend after second- and fourth-place efforts in two recent Grade III sprints. He registered a 1 1/4-length win for owners Daniel Feit and Carlos David, with David training and Irad Ortiz, Jr. in the saddle. That’s a sharp score for a gelding who started 2020 claimed in back-to-back $16,000 races.

While the above winners all represented bygone chances on the part of rivals who missed out on claims at lower asking prices, several CC winners on Saturday were the products of bigger-ticket purchases after initially racing for more modest claiming prices.

Fiya (Friesan Fire) began his career in November 2019 as a $25,000 maiden-claimer in Maryland but was purchased for $400,000 at the Wanamaker’s July 2020 online sale after a sizzling 98-Beyer win that was .25 seconds off the Laurel turf course record. He has since won three straight turf sprints, including an allowance, a division of the Maryland Million stakes, and now the $90,000 CC Canterbury S. at 1-2 odds for owner Robert Masiello and trainer Tom Albertrani. Saez was up for the 1 1/2-length wire job, which ran Fiya’s record to five-for-five in 2020.

The win by Queens Embrace (Real Solution) in the $95,000 CC Tiara S. also had an “immediate return on investment” ring to it. The 3-year-old filly broke her maiden for a $16,000 tag Jan. 1 at Tampa Bay Downs. Four additional wins and eight months later, she was claimed for $80,000 at Belmont Park by the partnership of Spedale Family Racing LLC and Flying P Stable. It appears as if the CC was the optimal target for trainer Danny Gargan, and Queens Embrace delivered as the 23-10 second choice with a four-wide late kick under Saez that put her 2 3/4 lengths clear at the wire.

Earlier this year, Avant Garde (Tonalist) required five starts to break his maiden for a tag, and he was claimed along the way for $10,000 by trainer Jesus Lander on behalf of owner Gelfenstein Farm. That change of barns ignited a five-of six win streak, during which the gelding’s only loss was a fourth in the GIII Oklahoma Derby. Back to the track where he now owns a five-for-six record, Avant Garde shot up the rail in deep stretch on Saturday to earn a half-length win at 6-1 odds under Leonel Reyes in the $85,000 CC Rapid Transit S. over seven furlongs.

Descente (Bodemeister) was the only CC stakes winner cut from the mold of being claimed repeatedly while earning her oats with gaudy, open-length victories at the lower end of the totem pole. Since Dec. 4, 2019, the 4-year-old filly has been claimed no fewer than six times, including for $6,250 in her most recent start at Gulfstream Park West 48 days ago.

Her 4 1/2-length win at 7-2 odds in the $80,000 CC Glass Slipper over a mile for Walder Racing and trainer Peter Walder marked the second consecutive victory in that stakes for Walder, who has now won five CC races during the 22-year run of the series. Miguel Vasquez rode.

High Noon Rider (Distorted Humor) was the bomb-thrower of the CC bunch. He orchestrated a 55-1, half-length upset of the $95,000 CC Emerald S. for lifetime win number 15. GenStar Thoroughbreds owns, Saffie Joseph, Jr. trains, and Edgard Zayas rode. This 9-year-old gelding had never gone off at odds that high in 55 career tries (34-1 previous high), and had recently been sent postward favored or close to it while competing in the starter-allowance ranks.

The nose win by Frost or Frippery (Lewis Michael) in the finale on the card, the $75,000 CC Iron Horse S., was the tightest finish on the day, barely earning jockey Saez his six-pack of victories. The 3-1 shot owned by Steve Landers Racing LLC and trained by Brad Cox registered lifetime score number 21 and win number eight during this calendar year, which puts Frost or Frippery in a three-way tie for most victories in North America in 2020.

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‘This Is Like Home’: Luis Saez Bags Six Wins On Claiming Crown Card

Luis Saez, a two-time Championship Meet titlist who began his U.S. career in South Florida, rode the winners of six races on Saturday's 11-race program at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla.

The 28-year-old native of Panama rode the winners of five of the nine Claiming Crown stakes, including $150,000 Jewel victor Jesus' Team. Saez won seven races in a day twice during the 2017-18 Championship Meet.

“It's been great a great day. I'm so blessed to be here. This is one of my favorite places,” Saez said. “This is like home. I'm happy to be here.”

Saez began his big day with a win aboard Fighting Force ($5.80) in Race 3, a mile maiden special weight race for 2-year-olds on turf. After a popular victory aboard Jesus' Team ($2.80) to kick off the Claiming Crown portion of Saturday's card, Saez returned to the Gulfstream winner's circle with Jakarta ($3.60), winner of the $90,000 Distaff Dash; Queens Embrace ($6.60), who captured the $95,000 Tiara; Fiya ($3), who romped to victory in the $90,000 Canterbury; and Frost or Frippery ($8), who closed out the Claiming Crown action with a narrow score in the $75,000 Iron Horse.

Saez won back-to-back Championship Meet titles in 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 before finishing second behind Irad Ortiz Jr. the past two seasons.

“We came here to work hard and see what happens,” Saez said. “We'll stay focused and working hard.”

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