Saffie Joseph Jr. | Horse Racing Free Tips

Twelve Volt Man Makes Late Charge To Upset Claiming Crown Jewel Stakes

Magic Cap Stable's Twelve Volt Man made a late charge along the rail to register an upset victory in Saturday's $125,000 Jewel at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla.

The Jewel, a 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds and up that have raced for a claiming price of $35,000 or less, headlined nine starter stakes in the Claiming Crown, an annual event that celebrates the blue-collar horses that support the daily programs of racetracks throughout the country.

Twelve Volt Man ($23.60) gave trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. his third Claiming Crown victory of the day. Joseph also visited the winner's circle with Face of Victory ($11) in the $75,000 Express in Race 5 and Sugar Fix ($8.40) in the $95,000 Tiara in Race 6.

“It's an amazing day. You come into these races and you can have thirds and fourths and go home with no wins. After we got the first one, I was thankful. Then, the second one happened Then, we got a hard beat and got the third one,” Joseph said. “All the horses showed up.”

Joseph-trained Girolamo's Attack, who was seeking his third straight stakes victory in the Jewel, was more highly regarded than Twelve Volt Man but wasn't a factor.

“Girolamo's Attack got beat. He doesn't like to be behind horses and dirt,” Joseph said.

Twelve Volt Man, who won his first two career starts before finishing far back in two subsequent stakes starts, was made eligible for the Jewel while winning an Oct. 14 optional claiming allowance while running for a $35,000 claiming tag. He tuned up for the Jewel with a fourth-place finish in the Showing Up over the Tapeta Course Nov. 6.

Twelve Volt Man raced between horses while tracking the pace along the backstretch a few lengths behind Hanalei's Houdini, who was sent after early leader Mo Hawk on the far turn before moving to the lead while racing extremely wide entering the stretch under Paco Lopez. Edwin Gonzalez sent Twelve Volt Man inside Hanalei's Houdini at the top of the stretch, and the two horses battled through the stretch while steadily drifting to the inside.

Twelve Volt Man won the battle nearing the wire to prevail by three-quarters of a length.

“I had a really good trip. I was saving ground around the first two turns. This is a really big horse. After the first time I rode the horse when he broke his maiden, I said to Saffie that this horse wants to go long,” Gonzalez said. “At the half-mile [pole], I followed the horse that finished second. At the quarter pole, when Paco moved, I moved with him. He drifted out with me and then I took my horse back inside and I think that won the race. When he got in a little bit tight, my horse got aggressive again. He's a nice horse. I feel great.”

Twelve Volt Man, a 3-year-old gelded son of Violence, ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.92 to edge Hanalei's Houdini. Mo Hawk held on for third.

“The time was really good,” Joseph said. “Now, he's going to have to face proper older horses.”

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Lopez, Joseph Jr. Crowd Claiming Crown Winner’s Circle

Trainer Mike Maker racked up his series-leading 19th career Claiming Crown victory, conditioner Saffie Joseph Jr. won three of the stakes conducted under starter-allowance conditions, and jockey Paco Lopez won five races overall on the Saturday card to kick off the championship meet at Gulfstream Park.

The Claiming Crown began in 1999 as a blue-collar version of the Breeders' Cup to reward primarily older horses who compete in the types of races that form the backbone of day-to-day American racing.

But oddly enough, it was a lightly-raced 3-year-old homebred who snuck up the rail to win the Dec. 4 feature, the $125,000

CC Jewel S. over nine furlongs in a 10-1 upset.

Twelve Volt Man (Violence) stalked patiently in mid-pack, then dove to the rail under deft handling by jockey Edwin Gonzalez to reel in a tiring leader in the final hundred yards for trainer Joseph Jr. and owner Magic Cap Stables. The winning margin was three-quarters of a length in 1:49.92 over a “fast” main track.

“I thought that maybe I'd get beat at the wire there, but a lot of heart this horse has,” said owner/breeder Joe Anzalone, who eventually sold the mare but kept this gelding. “Words can't say [how proud I am]. I'm still shaking.”

The annual CC event is a partnership between the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. After initially rotating among smaller tracks, Gulfstream has evolved into the host site over the past 10 years.

All of Saturday's winners could have been previously snagged at the claim box for relatively low asking prices prior to competing for comparably higher CC purses.

Miles Ahead (Competitive Edge) was one such gelding. There were no takers when he broke his maiden by 12 1/4 lengths for a $12,500 tag back in January 2020. He finished seventh in last year's edition of this $85,000 CC Rapid Transit S., but subsequently won the GIII Smile Sprint S. and had a trip-troubled last-place try in the GI Vanderbilt H. at Saratoga this past summer.

On Saturday he avenged last year's CC defeat by winning the Rapid Transit by 1 1/4 lengths as the 13-10 favorite with a sweeping far-turn bid in 1:21.99 for seven furlongs. Lopez rode for owners David Melin, Leon Ellman, and Laurie Plesa.

“Races like the Claiming Crown are the bread and butter of horse racing,” said trainer Ed Plesa Jr. “It's great to see that they have a day like this, not because I won, but just because the everyday participants of the races are the ones that need a little bit more 'oomph.'”

Another winner on Saturday who set the record straight after losing the same stakes a year ago was the 3-1 Sugar Fix (Treasure Beach {GB}). The 4-year-old filly was second in the 2020 CC Tiara S., but in this season's $95,000 edition she pounced from just off the pace to win by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:40.19 for 1 1/16 miles over the “firm” turf.

Edgard Zayas rode for trainer Joseph Jr. and owners Mad Dog Racing Stable and Big Frank Stable.

One winner who was a re-claim for current connections stood out: Bad Beat Brian (Jack Milton) in the $90,000 CC Canterbury S. over five furlongs over the lawn.

The 4-year-old gelding had been claimed away for $62,500 at Churchill June 11, but was taken back for $40,000 by trainer Maker and owners Paradise Farms and David Staudacher in his next start July 16 at Del Mar.

Bad Beat Brian then waited until his fourth start off that re-claim to pay 4-1 dividends in the toughest spot he'd ever been entered. He surged down the center of the stretch to win by a length under Emisael Jaramillo in :54.78.

In the companion $90,000 CC Distaff Dash S. over five furlongs on the grass, 9-5 fave Payntdembluesaway (Paynter) bounded straight to the lead, dueled head-and-head with a 45-1 longshot, then asserted her dominance at the eighth pole to win going away by four lengths in :55.31.

Lopez rode for trainer Jane Cibelli and All My Hart Racing, Inc.

Despite a sweet 8-for-13 lifetime record, the 5-year-old mare has never been claimed despite being offered for $16,000 on four occasions. She's now 4-for-5 sprinting on the Gulfstream turf.

“She's tough. She likes to have things her own way and she's a little tough to train. But if she has things her own way, she's fast. She just loves to run,” said Cibelli.

In the one-turn-mile $80,000 CC Glass Slipper S., Sweet Willemina (Raison d'Etat) uncorked a long drive and split foes late to snatch a head victory at 8-1 odds in 1:36.68.

Silvestre Gonzalez rode for owners Richard Ciavardone and Home Team Stables. The win for conditioner Scott Lake was his ninth (third best among all trainers) in the history of the CC.

The 4-year-old filly was mired in a nine-race losing streak when those connections claimed her for $32,000 June 21 at Churchill Downs. She promptly won six straight Parx and Delaware, then ran second in her last outing up north before getting reacquainted with the winner's circle on Saturday.

In the six-furlong $75,000 CC Express S., the 9-2 Face of Victory (Run Away and Hide) tallied by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:10.52 under Zayas for trainer Joseph Jr. and owner Mercy Man Racing.

The 7-year-old gelding was the oldest CC winner on Saturday's card. He had changed hands via claim for $8,000 and $10,000 earlier this year at Gulfstream.

Blue Steel (Will Take Charge) was an aptly named winner of the afternoon's first CC event, the $75,000 CC Iron Horse S.

The 5-year-old gelding is usually a front-end force. But on Saturday he stalked tepid fractions, took over on the backstretch, and was saved by the wire while losing steam late over 1 1/16 miles at 7-2 odds in 1:44.61.

Blue Steel was ridden by Lopez for trainer Jeff Hiles and owner James Woodruff. He's been a frequent winning shipper this season, getting his photo snapped on six occasions at five tracks (Mahoning Valley, Keeneland, Belterra, Indiana Grand and Gulfstream).

Lopez bookended the CC portion of the program with victories (four wins and two seconds in CC races, plus a score in a non-stakes undercard race). He decisively stormed straight to the front in the nightcap to control the pace in the $95,000

CC Emerald S. with Mid Day Image (Midshipman).

The 5-year-old homebred for Patricia Generazio had been last seen winning back-to-back starter-handicaps at Monmouth. Trainer Luis Carvajal had the speedster ready off a nearly three-month layoff to win at 3-1 odds in 1:39.82.

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Zayas Guides Face Of Victory To Winner’s Circle In Claiming Crown Express

Under a heads-up ride by Edgard Zayas, Mercy Man Racing's Face of Victory ($11) captured Saturday's $75,000 Express, a six-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up that have run for a claiming price of $8000 or less in 2020-2021.

A split-second decision at the 3/8ths pole was the key to the Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained 5-year-old gelding's upset victory over heavily favored Kalu, who broke sharply to take the early lead. Face of Victory, who broke from the rail post position and was ridden aggressively by Zayas, slipped inside the favorite on the backstretch. Gulfstream's Fall Meet titlist quickly thought better of an inside challenge, easing up on his mount long enough to be able to guide him off the rail to make an outside challenge in the stretch. Face of Victory kicked on through the stretch to prevail by 1 ¼ lengths.

“Saffie gave me a lot of confidence in the paddock. He said, 'Take it to [Kalu]. His only weakness is at the end where he tends to stop a little bit. He said, 'Take it to him early if you can. Make him earn his money,'” Zayas said. “At the three-eighths pole, the other horse started to make his move early. At that point, I gave my horse a little breather and took him outside. He came running at the end.”

Face of Victory, who was claimed for $10,000 in August, ran six furlongs in 1:10.52 to upset Kalu, who held on to second by a head over third-place finisher Aequor.

Zayas and Joseph came right back to win the $95,000 Tiara in the following race with Sugar Fix.

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Saffie Joseph Jr. Sets His Sights On Winning Gulfstream Championship Meet Training Title

After adding the inaugural Fall Meet title to his ever-growing list of accomplishments at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla., trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. is setting his sights on the upcoming 2021-2022 Championship Meet.

Joseph, whose 36 victories during the fall more than doubled the total of nearest competitor Jorge Delgado, finished second behind perennial leader Todd Pletcher during last season's Championship Meet, eight wins behind the Hall of Famer's total of 58 wins.

“The Championship Meet is Todd's meet. Last year, we were pretty close, but we didn't have as many horses as we have this year. I think we can give him a run for his money,” Joseph said. “He's a legend at Gulfstream. What is it, 15, 16, 17 years? We hope to follow in his footsteps and one day take a run at him. Will it be this year, next year, or the future? I think with the horses were getting and with so many owners supporting us, I think it's possible.”

The 34-year-old Barbados native has long been a fan of the newly inducted Hall of Famer, who has captured 18 consecutive Championship Meet titles.

“I grew up coming here from Barbados on holiday when I was 16, 17, seeing Todd. I would just bet Todd and Johnny V [Velazquez]. That was my favorite combination,” Joseph said. “Just being able to compete against him – he's an icon trainer – I'm just thankful to be in this position.”

Joseph understands he, alone, can't dethrone the longstanding king of Gulfstream.

“I'm just thankful for the horses we have for the people we train for. We have a good team. That's the important thing – you need the horses and a good team behind you,” Joseph said.

Joseph did get the better of Pletcher Sunday when he saddled Girolamo's Attack ($4.20) for a front-running victory in the $60,000 Miami Gardens Handicap. Pletcher-trained Fearless, who captured the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Mile in February, finished second while coming off a six-month layoff.

Jockey Edgard Zayas, who dominated the Fall Meet title race with 43 wins, once again enjoyed success while teaming with Joseph Sunday while guiding Girolamo's Attack to victory in the mile overnight handicap, in which he carried five pounds fewer than Fearless, the 125-pound highweight.

Girolamo's Attack, who captured the Oct. 27 Miami Beach Handicap in similar fashion, set fractions of :24.12 for the first quarter and :46.57 for the first half mile before holding off Fearless through the stretch to win by a length in 1:34.50.

“His last race was a huge race, but I wasn't sure if because the fractions were so slow, he kicked on and got brave. But today, he definitely showed he's getting better and getting to be a nice horse,” Zayas said. “Early in this horse's career, he had some mental problems. He was a little crazy, but I think he's getting it all together. Today, he acted super professional.”

Fresh off a dominant Spring/Summer Meet title campaign, the 28-year-old native of Puerto Rico finished with 14 wins more than runner-up Chantal Sutherland.

“I'm really happy and blessed. I'm really appreciative of all the opportunities I get from the owners and trainers,” Zayas said. “The quality of horses in South Florida this time of year is getting better, and I've been getting on some nice horses. Hopefully, there are some big things coming up.”

Zayas finished fifth in wins and purses-won during the 2020-2021 Championship Meet and looks forward to the upcoming winter meet that gets underway Dec. 3.

“It's definitely a new challenge. We did pretty good last year. We finished in the Top 5. I'm looking forward to the Championship Meet. I'm super, super excited,” Zayas said.

Zayas and Joseph also teamed for a victory with Designed for Kitten ($6.40) in the Fall Meet's finale.

In Sunday's co-featured Opa-Locka, a mile overnight handicap for fillies and mares, Helping Lisa D ($9.40) pulled off a mild upset following a ground-saving ride by Paco Lopez. The Steven Dwoskin-trained 6-year-old daughter of Flat Out, rated well off the early pace set by 8-5 favorite Dance d'Oro before rallying along the rail to score by 1 ½ lengths in 1:36.50.

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