Daniel Alonso, already familiar with the winner’s circle at Gulfstream Park after major success with Skippylongstocking earlier in the season, returned on Saturday to celebrate again as promising juvenile Ford Roadster made a winning start to his career. The two-year-old showed determination and ability in equal measure, suggesting he could become another bright prospect for his owner.
Alonso’s colt, sent off at generous odds, was quickly involved in the contest in Race 2, a 4½-furlong maiden special weight for juveniles. From the moment the gates opened, Ford Roadster matched strides with the strongly fancied Strike, and the pair engaged in a prolonged duel down the straight.
Refusing to yield, Ford Roadster found enough in the closing stages to score by half a length, with Strike staying on bravely in second. Liberty Wings was a further head away in third after also finishing with purpose.
The winner, a son of first-crop sire Roadster, covered the distance in 52.77 seconds under apprentice rider Yolber Torres. Trained by Ramon Minguet, the Florida-bred gelding had reportedly shown promise in the mornings, and that promise translated neatly to the racecourse.
“It looks like the Roadsters can run,” Alonso said afterwards, reflecting on a race in which the first two home were both sons of Roadster.
He added: “He had been training well and he seemed to be a healthy horse. We’re glad he got it done.”
The performance will naturally prompt hopes of bigger assignments ahead, with Ford Roadster debut win likely to attract attention among those following emerging two-year-olds this spring.
Alonso also confirmed that stable star Skippylongstocking is being prepared for a return in the Alysheba Stakes at Churchill Downs on May 1. The seasoned campaigner arrives there after another strong display in the Essex Handicap at Oaklawn Park, continuing a distinguished career that has brought substantial earnings and repeated top-level performances.
Earlier on the card, veteran campaigner Light Fury rewarded new connections with an emphatic success, landing the 16th victory of his long career.
Trainer David Fawkes revealed the nine-year-old had initially been acquired with retirement rather than racing in mind, but the gelding had other plans. After a freshen-up, he returned to the track in excellent heart.
Light Fury set the pace throughout before drawing clear in the straight to win by five lengths. The result lifted his career earnings to $334,294 and underlined his fondness for the Tapeta surface, where he now boasts an outstanding strike-rate.
“We took him to retire him,” Fawkes said. “Whether he ran again or not, when he was done he’d have a good home.”
Instead, the old favourite delivered another memorable afternoon.
Attention now turns to Thursday’s return fixture at Gulfstream Park, where a competitive card includes a seven-furlong maiden event for fillies and mares and a deep five-furlong starter allowance on Tapeta for older horses.
Among those due to feature is Rachel’s Coach, who has built an admirable record on the synthetic surface and bids to continue her fine run of form.
Saturday’s meeting, however, belonged to a youngster with clear potential and an owner enjoying a season to remember. If Ford Roadster continues on this path, Daniel Alonso may yet have another headline horse on his hands.
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