Jockey Edgard Zayas made a swift and remarkable return to the winner’s circle at Gulfstream Park after escaping injury in a dramatic fall earlier in the week, guiding Vanderbilt to an impressive maiden victory on Friday.
Edgard Zayas Gulfstream Park win.
Just four days after being launched from his mount Glint during the eighth race at Aqueduct, Zayas was back doing what he does best. The experienced rider, who spent more than a decade as one of Gulfstream Park’s leading jockeys before relocating to New York in April, showed no signs of lingering effects as he partnered the Brad Cox-trained Vanderbilt to a popular success in Race 8.
The incident at Aqueduct on Monday had raised concerns about whether Zayas would be able to fulfil riding commitments during the New York Racing Association’s pre-Saratoga break. Fortunately for the jockey, the outcome could have been far worse.
“I really got lucky and avoided any serious injuries. I landed good. I landed right. A horse kind of passed over me, but he just scraped me on the face,” Zayas said at Gulfstream Park on Friday.
Despite some soreness in the days that followed, Zayas was fit to ride and quickly reminded local fans of his talent aboard Vanderbilt, a $1.1 million yearling purchase at the 2023 Keeneland September Sale.
Returning from a 16-month absence, the four-year-old son of Into Mischief displayed plenty of promise. Vanderbilt tracked the early pace set by Pic Three before accelerating decisively in the stretch to open a clear advantage. He then held off the late challenge of State Conceal to secure victory over six furlongs in 1:10.42.
The performance suggested Vanderbilt has considerable upside. On his only previous start, at Gulfstream Park in January 2025, he overcame early interference before finishing second behind River Thames, a colt who subsequently developed into graded-stakes company.
For Zayas, the victory represented another positive step in re-establishing himself on the New York circuit while maintaining strong ties to the Florida racing scene. He is booked for seven rides on Saturday and four on Sunday at Gulfstream, before heading to Saratoga where he is scheduled to ride on opening day next week.
“I’m working hard. I know it’s going to be a slow process, but we’ll make it. We’ll get there,” Zayas said. “Eventually, little by little we’re picking up business.”
Mentored by Hall of Fame jockey Angel Cordero during his apprentice days, Zayas has built one of the most successful careers of his generation, recording nearly 7,000 victories and earning more than $87 million in purse money.
Attention at Gulfstream Park now turns to the weekend programme, where several competitive allowance events are set to feature prominent runners from leading local stables.
Among them is Sticky McShnickens, trained by Joe Orseno, who heads the market for Saturday’s five-furlong Florida-bred allowance on Tapeta and will once again have Zayas in the saddle. Orseno is also strongly represented in another allowance contest through And Uwish and Extendo, both proven performers on the all-weather surface.
The latest Edgard Zayas Gulfstream Park win serves as another reminder of the jockey’s resilience and determination. After a frightening accident that could easily have sidelined him for weeks, Zayas was back in action almost immediately, delivering a performance that underlined why he remains one of the most respected riders in American racing.
The victory was particularly encouraging given Vanderbilt’s lengthy absence from competition. Having shown promise on debut before being sidelined, the Brad Cox trainee returned as a more mature performer, travelling strongly throughout and quickening decisively when asked. Connections will now hope the gelding can build on this performance and progress into stronger company during the summer months.
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