Tackleberry Handicap Ends in Controversy at Gulfstream Park
Hades, trained by Joe Orseno and partnered with Edgard Zayas, had done much of the hard work on the front end, carving out early fractions of 23.45 and 47.30 while being pressed throughout by Catalytic and Eldest Son. The trio remained tightly grouped until the final turn, where Eldest Son gave way, and Relampago Verde loomed large to the outside.
In the lane, Hades and Catalytic raced as a team, with Gonzalez attempting to push through but being repeatedly forced outward. After a long inquiry, stewards determined Hades had interfered with Catalytic’s chances and demoted him to second. The official margin between the two was a neck, with Relampago Verde a half-length behind in third.
“It was a judgment call,” Orseno said after the race. “I’m happy with his performance, happy with his gutsiness. He fought all the way.”
Gonzalez, who notched his 2,000th career victory earlier in the week, believed the contact materially impacted the result. “Turning into the lane, he didn’t give me a chance to run clear,” he said. “He was drifting out and bumped my horse three times. My horse fought back, and I think he deserved it.”
The Tackleberry Handicap marked Catalytic’s return to stakes company following his June 5 allowance win at Gulfstream. Previously trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., Catalytic was no stranger to high-caliber company. He finished second to champion Fierceness in the 2024 Curlin Florida Derby (G1) and contested the Kentucky Derby (G1), where he finished off the board.
Hades, meanwhile, was making just his second start of the 2025 season and hadn’t gone this far before. The winner of last year’s Holy Bull (G3), he had run a similar style race that day, dictating the pace and withstanding challenges. “It was almost the same trip he had in the Holy Bull,” Orseno noted. “Only this time, it was a mile and an eighth. I was more concerned about the distance than the horses.”
The final time for the 1 1/8-mile Tackleberry Handicap was 1:50.14. Despite the disqualification, Hades’ performance suggested he remains a strong contender for longer races as his season continues.
For full race results and replays, visit RaceBuzz’s international section. To learn more about upcoming events at the venue, check out Gulfstream Park’s official website.
