Jose D’Angelo | Horse Racing Free Tips

Jesus’ Team, Sole Volante Reunite Sunday In Gulfstream’s City Of Dania Stakes

A lot has happened since the last time Jesus' Team and Sole Volante clashed at Gulfstream Park 13 months ago. Jesus' Team went on to become multiple Grade 1 stakes-placed while competing against some of the best horses in the world, while Sole Volante went on to run in the Belmont Stakes (G1) and Kentucky Derby (G1).

The two 4-year-olds will reunite in Sunday's $60,000 City of Dania at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla., a mile overnight handicap in which Jesus' Team will carry 127 pounds, nine pounds more than the horse that had defeated him in a stakes-quality optional claiming allowance at Gulfstream June 10, 2020.

While acknowledging the disparity in weight assignments, trainer Jose D'Angelo is willing to accept the challenge for Jesus' Team first start since Grupo 7C Racing Stable's color-bearer finished sixth in the $10 million Dubai World Cup (G1) March 27.

“I think he's come along very good. He is good and sharp. I think it is a good spot for him coming off a layoff,” D'Angelo said. “I know he has to carry a lot of weight, but I think it is not a big deal.”

Jesus's Team won a $25,000 claiming race in his first race after winning a $35,000 maiden claiming race and first race after being transferred to D'Angelo. The son of Tapiture finished second, beaten by three-quarters of a length by Sole Volante, in his next start before eight consecutive stakes races. D'Angelo and Jesus' Team hit the road to face the best company in the country for the rest of the year and faring extremely well. The Kentucky-bred colt went on to finish third in the Preakness (G1) and Jim Dandy (G2) before finishing second behind Knicks Go in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) at Keeneland.

“For me, it was amazing. Jesus represents to me the best horse I've trained,” said D'Angelo, who was the leading trainer in Venezuela before venturing to South Florida in 2019. “He gave me the best moments of my life, professionally speaking. When you come to this country. You see all the big horses and big trainers. To have a horse that has the ability to take you there with him, it was amazing.”

Jesus' Team returned to Gulfstream to capture the Claiming Crown Jewel in his final start of 2020 before making his 2021 debut in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1), in which he again finished second behind Knicks Go. Unfortunately, the D'Angelo trainee seemed to lack the same competitive spirit in Dubai.

“The race was not a good race for him. The horse wasn't training very good in Dubai,” D'Angelo said. “Sometimes that happens, and you never know.”

After enjoying some rest and relaxation and putting on some weight, Jesus' Team has produced a series of strong breezes at Palm Meadows, Gulfstream's satellite training facility in Palm Beach County, in preparation for the City of Dania.

Samy Camacho is scheduled to ride Jesus' Team for the first time since his second-place finish behind Sole Volante last year.

Patrick Biancone-trained Sole Volante will be seeking his first win in five starts since his decision over Jesus' Team last year. The son of Karakontie went on to finish off the board in the Belmont and Derby before a couple of uneventful efforts on the turf. Following a four-month break, he raced evenly to finish fourth in a mile optional claiming allowance on the main track May 22.

Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Andie Biancone's gelding had established himself as a Triple Crown prospect early last year when he won the Sam Davis (G3) and finished second in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2)

Luca Panici has the return mount on Sole Volante, who will be equipped with blinkers for the first time.

Harold Queen's Noble Drama, a multiple stakes winner and fan favorite at Gulfstream; Rodney Lundock's Pro Quality, who was just a neck behind Noble Drama; Lawson Racing Stables' I'm a G Six, an impressive winner of a mile optional claiming allowance last time out; Willow Lane Stable Inc.'s Highestdistinction, who is slated to make his 2021 debut Sunday after winning his last two starts of 2020; and IAB Stables and Walter Fralick's Quenane, a veteran campaigner with 14 career wins; round out the field.

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Jesus’ Team To Start In City Of Dania Stakes At Gulfstream Park

Grupo 7C Racing Stable's Jesus' Team, the gritty claimer-turned-Grade 1-stakes performer, is scheduled to return to action in next Sunday's City of Dania at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla.

The 4-year-old son of Tapiture, who has been freshened since his sixth-place finish in the $10 million Grade 1 Dubai World Cup March 27, tuned up for the mile overnight handicap with a five-furlong breeze in 1:00.65 Saturday at Palm Meadows, Gulfstream's satellite training facility in Palm Beach County.

“The work was perfect. Jesus has been training great for the City of Dania,” trainer Jose D'Angelo said. “He looks great. He put on weight and is very strong.”

Jesus' Team captured a $25,000 claiming race at Gulfstream in his first start for D'Angelo in May 2020 before taking a tour of the East Coast and Midwest to compete against the best horses in training and amass more than $1.3 million in purses. The Kentucky-bred colt finished third in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. and the Grade 1 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Md., before finishing second behind Knicks Go in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky. He returned to Gulfstream to win the Claiming Crown Jewel before finishing second again behind Knicks Go in the $3 million Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational during the 2020-2021 Championship Meet.

“I think Jesus is ready to have a very good year,” D'Angelo. “The goal again is the Breeders' Cup.”

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‘We Didn’t Lose, We Learned’: Jesus’ Team Exits Dubai World Cup Sixth In Good Order

Jose D'Angelo was understandably disappointed with Jesus' Team's sixth-place finish in Saturday's $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1), but the 30-year-old trainer has returned to South Florida with a wealth of knowledge and experience.

“We didn't lose, we learned,” said the Venezuela-born trainer, who has been training in the U.S. for less than two years. “We learned a lot of little things. In this sport, a lot of little things make big things happen.”

Grupo 7C Racing Stable's Jesus' Team, who earned a trip to Dubai with a second-place finish in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) Jan. 23 at Gulfstream Park, raced evenly in traffic to finish sixth of 12 starters in the Dubai World Cup.

“In the mornings he showed life, in the race he showed different,” D'Angelo said. “I don't know what happened. One thing is a horse in the morning and the other thing is a horse running between 12 horses in the afternoon. The most important thing is Jesus came back perfect. He came back from the race like he does for a gallop, not tired.”

Jesus' Team is scheduled to fly to Chicago Thursday and will be in quarantine for three days before to returning to D'Angelo's stable at Palm Meadows, Gulfstream Park's satellite training facility in Palm Beach County.

“When he comes back, he'll get all the time he needs,” said D'Angelo, who was the leading trainer in Venezuela before he ventured to the U.S. “When he does come back, he will have an impact.”

Jesus's Team captured a $25,000 claiming race at Gulfstream Park while making his first start for D'Angelo last May. The 4-year-old son of Tapiture went on to finish third in the Jim Dandy (G2) at Saratoga and Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico and second in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) at Keeneland before returning to Gulfstream to win the Claiming Crown Jewel and finish second in the Pegasus.

D'Angelo drove the truck towing Jesus' Team's van for each of his major stakes engagements before the trainer and his overachieving horse traveled separately to Dubai.

“For me, it was the first time traveling with a horse outside the USA,” D'Angelo said. “It was an amazing experience. I would like to go back next year.”

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D’Angelo Relishing Every Moment With Dubai World Cup Contender Jesus’ Team

Dreams shape the future and for 30-year-old trainer, Jose Francisco D'Angelo, one might come true this Saturday, when his charge Jesus' Team (USA) lines up for the 25th anniversary of the $12m Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline.

The former leading Venezuelan handler found himself travelling across states during his first full year of training in the USA, him behind the wheel and his precious cargo, Jesus' Team in the back.

During the spring of 2020 the bold bay walked into D'Angelo's Palm Meadows barn and since then has taken the trainer, his team and owners to new heights.

“This horse has put me on the map,” D'Angelo said.

He provided trainer D'Angelo with a first ever starter in an American Classic race when 3rd in the 2020 Grade 1 Preakness Stakes, behind subsequent US Horse of the Year Authentic and champion 3-year-old filly, Swiss Skydiver.

That week was characterized by fresh experiences and an extensive amount of pressure, but also carried an introspective undertone. D'Angelo's grandfather had died mere weeks earlier.

“When my grandfather passed away I was driving the truck from Saratoga to Monmouth for the Preakness, it was the day after the (Grade 2) Jim Dandy. I heard whilst I was driving and I had to stop, it was too hard,” the trainer recalled.

“I dedicated the Preakness to my grandfather because I felt him with me. I couldn't go to his funeral in Venezuela because I was with 'Jesus' and because of the pandemic I couldn't travel.”

A scintillating performance at Pimlico was followed by a runner up finish in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Mile, behind Knicks Go, a win in the Claiming Crown Jewel Stakes and another second placing behind the aforementioned foe in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational.

Foreign riches beckoned and connections started dreaming of greater goals by the end of the autumn, when the Dubai World Cup became a target. Groom Angel Ayala, regular rider Willo Mercado and trainer D'Angelo left for the United Arab Emirates in mid-March.

When watching the elite contenders during morning workouts it is the exuberant Jesus' Team, with his blinkers, draw reigns and free striding action, who always seems to catch the eye.

A spirited character, the Grupo 7C Racing Stable runner has taken to the Meydan dirt track and a customary trick or two suggests the dark bay to be in top condition.

“Jesus is a little bit like a baby. He looks like a professional on track, but in the barn he wants to play like a 2-year-old. Jesus is a very delicate horse. You have to be able to deal with him,” said D'Angelo.

Even though the preparation has gone exactly as hoped, with Jesus' Team improving every day, D'Angelo knows anything can happen in the lead up to the race itself.

Adrenaline was pumping through the veins of D'Angelo during the Dubai World Cup draw, but the nerves subsided after a satisfactory stall 9 was announced.

“I'm very nervous, I would like Saturday to come right now. But we can do this. I've gone to the stable at 10pm, 11pm, 12pm. Talking to him: 'Hey 'Jesus' you all good?' I check in on him, change the water. He makes a soup out of his feed, mixing it with water, so I have to clean it,” says a smiling D'Angelo.

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