After more than a year away from the track, Choose Joy lived up to her name on Friday afternoon at Gulfstream Park, delivering an emotional and hard-fought victory that reminded fans why racing hearts beat strongest for comeback stories.
It had been 435 days since the now 8-year-old mare last stepped into the starting gate. Yet, under a patient ride from Miguel Vasquez, she produced a powerful late surge to snatch victory by a head from Etrurian in the day’s feature on the all-weather Tapeta. The win marked not only a personal triumph for the mare but also for her owner-trainer Steve Dwoskin, who has guided her career through its many ups and downs.
“I’d rather it had been on the turf, but she’s always been genuine,” Dwoskin said after the race. “She was fit, ready, and she’s just a good horse.”
A Triumphant Return After 435 Days
The optional claiming allowance for fillies and mares aged three and up was moved off the turf due to overnight rain, but that didn’t deter Choose Joy. She broke slowly, trailing early as Etrurian and stablemate Beauty of the Sea set a sharp pace through fractions of 21.53 and 43.76 seconds.
As the field turned for home, Vasquez swung the mare widest of all, asking her for one last effort. Down the stretch, she lengthened her stride beautifully, reeling in Etrurian in the final strides to clock 55.93 seconds for the five furlongs — her 10th career win from 27 starts.
This performance underscored the consistency that has defined Choose Joy’s career. She’s now finished third or better in seven of eight starts over Tapeta, three of them victories.
Building on a Career of Resilience
Dwoskin first acquired Choose Joy for $35,000 at auction in 2019, and her latest win added another $27,000 to her bankroll, bringing her lifetime earnings to $439,745.
“I’m very proud of her,” Dwoskin said with a smile. “She keeps inching closer to half a million.”
Rainbow 6 Jackpot Claimed for $143,083
The day’s other headline at Gulfstream Park came from the betting windows, where one lucky player solved the Rainbow 6 for a $143,083.80 jackpot.
The 20-cent multi-race wager, which had rolled over for five consecutive cards since September 14, was finally cracked after Call Me Angel — trained by Terry Oliver and ridden by Elijah Greenidge — won the 10th race. The winning combination was 2-7-3-3-3-8, ending a drought that stretched back to April 2011 for Oliver.
Other winners in the sequence included Dixie Preach ($14), Miss T Bobo ($3.80), Dime Papi ($2.80), Flowko ($32.40), and Choose Joy ($14.60).
The Rainbow 6 begins anew Saturday, spanning Races 6–11, highlighted by the $70,000 Jet Propulsion Overnight Handicap where 2024 Gulfstream Park Mile (G2) winner Steal Sunshine seeks to end a six-race skid.
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Jockey Miguel Vasquez doubled on the card, scoring with Etendre ($4.40) in Race 3 and Choose Joy in Race 9.
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Trainer Ronald Coy also saddled two winners: Accelerate Me ($5) and Dime Papi ($2.80).
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Promising filly Miss T Bobo, owned by Tami Bobo, impressed in Race 6 — a seven-furlong maiden special weight — stopping the clock at 1:24.67.
For full race coverage and more Gulfstream Park updates, stay tuned to RaceBuzz.
