Trainer Gustavo Delgado has enjoyed success while racing maidens in stakes races at Gulfstream Park in recent years, including runner-up finishes in the $1 million Xpressbet.com Florida Derby (G1) by Majesto in 2016 and Bodexpress this year. Saturday, Delgado got all the money in the $75,000 Smooth Air with Soros, who broke his maiden easily in the $75,000 Smooth Air in only his second career start.
“This is pretty much what we do now!” quipped Delgado’s son and assistant trainer Gustavo Delgado Jr. when asked about the stable’s success in stakes with maidens.
The Smooth Air, a mile stakes for 2-year-olds, was one of six stakes on Saturday’s Juvenile Showcase program at Gulfstream Park.
Fort McHenry, a half-brother to two-time Horse of the Year California Chrome, faded to last as the even-money favorite after stalking the early pace.
Soros ($16.40) had finished second behind Fort McHenry in his debut at Gulfstream Park West Nov. 2. The son of Commissioner finished 5 ½ lengths behind Fort McHenry.
Saturday, Soros saved ground in sixth along the backstretch as Gemo set a pressured pace along the backstretch past fractions of 23.32 and 45.57 seconds. Hall of Fame jockey Edgar Prado eased Soros to the outside entering the far turn, where they launched a four-wide sweep into the stretch, where they drew off to win by 2 ½ lengths.
“He broke good and everybody went. I watched his [debut] race and it seemed like he sat behind horses and took the dirt no problem. So I didn’t hesitate to tuck right in and save some ground. The dirt hit him and he was running into it no problem. Around the turn, when everybody was going head and head and I had nowhere to go and my horse started picking them up, I said just let me go outside and see what I got. When I got him outside, he just accelerated,” Prado said. “I think he was only running at 70 percent. He’s still mentally learning and he’s just going to get better.”
Genghis finished second, 1 ½ lengths ahead of Gangly.
Soros, who ran a mile in 1:38.10, was purchased for $40,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September sale.
“Hopefully he comes back in good shape today and we’ll take it from there. This is a horse that we own and is open for sale, so we don’t know what will happen next,” Delgado Jr. said. “He seems like a two turn horse. I love the way he just cruises.”
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