Ironhorse Racing Stable and Harlow Stables’ Mattingly produced a determined performance at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, edging Thought Control by a neck in the $100,000 Bob Umphrey Sprint. The victory highlighted a competitive afternoon of racing, with Palm Beach Racing’s Florida homebred Miss Mary Nell also returning to winning form in the $100,000 Ginger Punch Handicap.
Mattingly completed the five-furlong Bob Umphrey Sprint in 56.37 seconds over the Tapeta surface. The five-year-old gelding was making his second start following a three-month break and secured the fourth victory of his 20-start career. He had also recorded five seconds and five thirds, taking his career earnings beyond $400,000.
Gulfstream Park race results highlighted Mattingly’s late acceleration
Mattingly broke alertly from the inside post, but jockey Juan Hernandez elected to settle him behind the early speed rather than engage in the opening exchanges. Esperon established the pace in 20.82 seconds for the opening two furlongs, with Thought Control pressing closely and Sunna racing in third.
The field reached the half-mile in 43.66 seconds, with Mattingly continuing to save ground along the inside. Hernandez waited patiently through the far turn before finding an opening as the leaders approached the stretch.
Mattingly moved through the gap and joined Thought Control inside the eighth pole. The two runners battled through the closing stages, but Mattingly gradually gained the upper hand and held on for a narrow victory.
Thought Control finished second, while Esperon secured third, 1½ lengths behind the runner-up. Rouki, Itza Boss, Full Disclosure, Extendo and Sunna completed the order of finish.
The victory marked an encouraging return to form for Mattingly. Before his comeback, he had finished eighth in the Thirsty Fish overnight handicap on Tapeta in May. He returned on August 9 in the five-furlong Warrior’s Pride overnight handicap on Gulfstream Park’s turf and finished less than a length behind stablemate Extendo.
Trainer Joe Orseno had continued to believe that Mattingly possessed considerable ability despite several difficult trips. The trainer also suggested that five furlongs might not be the gelding’s ideal distance and indicated that a five-and-a-half-furlong contest could prove more suitable for his next appearance.
Mattingly was bred in Florida by Lance Colwell and is out of the Grand Slam mare Battingstar. The Bob Umphrey Sprint was contested for the 36th time and formed part of a three-stakes card carrying a combined $425,000 in purses.
The event has a long history in South Florida racing. It was inaugurated at Calder Race Course in 1991 as the Calder Turf Sprint before receiving its present name in 2006. The race has been conducted at Gulfstream Park since 2014 and has been contested on Tapeta for the fifth consecutive year.
Miss Mary Nell Returns to Winning Form
The $100,000 Ginger Punch Handicap produced another notable result when Miss Mary Nell secured a three-quarter-length victory for Palm Beach Racing. Originally scheduled for one mile on turf, the race was transferred to Tapeta after rain and contested over one mile and 70 yards around two turns.
Jonathan Ocasio, who replaced Leonel Reyes, settled Miss Mary Nell just behind the early leaders. Lets Go Koko dictated the pace from the inside, reaching the opening quarter in 24.47 seconds and the half-mile in 48.13.
Miss Mary Nell raced in third before advancing around the far turn. Ocasio moved her into contention midway through the bend, and the Florida-bred mare took command before entering the stretch. She maintained control through the final furlong and held off her rivals.
Fantasy Performer finished second, while Defiant Lass was third by a neck. Lets Go Koko followed in fourth, ahead of City Minute, Hello Hello Hello, Spicy Princess, Ghosts Lil Secret and Crafty Collector.
The victory was particularly significant given Miss Mary Nell’s previous record on Tapeta. Six of her seven career victories had come over the surface, including a win in the South Beach overnight handicap over the same one-mile-and-70-yard distance in January. She had subsequently gone winless in seven starts before finishing third in the Frolic’s Revenge overnight handicap on turf in August.
Trainer Carlos David had expected the return to Tapeta to suit Miss Mary Nell, and the decision was vindicated by her composed performance.
The Ginger Punch Handicap honours the accomplished Florida-bred mare Ginger Punch, who captured the Eclipse Award as champion older mare in 2007. She won five of eight starts that season, including the Go for Wand Handicap, Ruffian Handicap and Breeders’ Cup Distaff, before retiring with 12 victories from 22 starts.
The Gulfstream Park race results were headlined by Mattingly’s narrow Bob Umphrey Sprint victory and Miss Mary Nell’s return to the winner’s circle in the Ginger Punch Handicap, giving the Tapeta programme two notable stakes winners.
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