Great Venezuela fans saw a touching moment long before the starter called the field forward at Gulfstream Park. Trainer Victor Barboza Jr. pressed a quick kiss to the filly’s cheek, whispered something only she could hear, and stepped away with the kind of quiet confidence that comes from deep trust. Moments later, the Great Venezuela in Islamorada storyline gained another dramatic chapter as the powerful filly surged home with the authority familiar to those who have watched her flourish on the Tapeta.
Barboza’s four-year-old returned to her preferred surface and rediscovered her rhythm, gliding across the all-weather track with the fluency that has defined so much of her young career. This latest win extended her already formidable Tapeta record, reinforcing her status as one of the region’s most reliable sprinting fillies.
Dominant Tapeta Performance
The return to the all-weather made all the difference. After a frustrating trip in California, Great Venezuela wasted no time settling into a comfortable rhythm just behind Twirling Queen, who attempted to dictate the terms through sharp early fractions. As they cornered for home, jockey Emisael Jaramillo eased his mount off the leader’s flank and, with one decisive switch of gears, Great Venezuela swept past with purpose.
Her 5½-furlong time of 1:01.78 reflected not only tactical speed but the strength she reserves for this surface. Le Amazonia closed willingly for second, while Sporting Lady followed in third, but neither could match the sparkle that Great Venezuela brought back to Florida.
“This filly just moves differently on Tapeta,” Barboza said afterwards, pride visible in his smile. “She’s strong, and this distance suits her perfectly.”
Jaramillo’s Measured Ride
Jaramillo, calm and understated after the win, credited the mare’s natural power. “We broke sharp and stayed where we needed. Once we straightened up, she did the rest. She has a serious turn of foot.”
It’s a partnership that continues to deepen, and Sunday only strengthened their rhythm together.
Maragh Nears Major Milestone
Earlier in the afternoon, the mood brightened again when veteran rider Rajiv Maragh guided the promising two-year-old Augustinian to a clear six-length maiden score, bringing him one step closer to the 2,000-win mark. He settled the youngster beautifully from the rail and let him stride along with confidence, controlling the race from start to finish.
Maragh, who has long been admired for his grounding, patience and professionalism, will have two more opportunities to edge nearer the milestone when racing resumes on Thursday.
Eyes on Thursday’s Championship Meet Card
The mid-week card offers additional interest, highlighted by a competitive allowance for juvenile fillies on turf—weather permitting—and several intriguing newcomers surfacing in the sprint ranks. Trainers continue to look for early-season momentum, making this one of the more closely watched sets of races during the ongoing meet.
Behind the scenes, riders such as Miguel Vasquez and Jaramillo remain locked in a lively contest for early winter bragging rights. Vasquez recorded a Sunday treble, but Jaramillo’s double—including the Great Venezuela in Islamorada result—nudged him narrowly ahead in the standings.
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