Gulfstream Park witnessed a breakthrough performance on Sunday when And Uwish showed his promise with a determined win in the $70,000 Successful Native Handicap. The lightly raced gelding, trained by Joe Orseno and co-owned by Adam and Suzette Parker, showed great tenacity in overcoming an early stumble and delivering a strong finish.
Although stablemate Extendo arrived with a more decorated racing history, it was And Uwish who stepped into the spotlight. Competing in only his sixth start, the 4-year-old son of Mshawish displayed his natural speed and maturity. Jockey Edgard Zayas placed him perfectly behind the leaders before unleashing a well-timed rally to clinch the win by a neck, clocking 1:02.46 over 5½ furlongs on the Tapeta track.
Trainer Orseno expressed satisfaction, acknowledging that he had always believed in the horse’s potential. While Extendo could not maintain his early speed and faded to fifth, Orseno attributed that performance to missed training and a minor issue that had recently been addressed.
Zayas, fresh off multiple feature wins over the July 4th weekend, credited the horse’s calm demeanor and favorable post position for the improved performance. In contrast to his last outing—when he broke through the gate prematurely and raced nervously—And Uwish remained composed and responded precisely when asked.
Behind And Uwish, Sosua Summer made a strong inside move but fell just short, while Louie The Sun King closed late to take third. Extendo, who carried top weight, couldn’t match his previous form and finished outside the top four.
Elsewhere on the day’s card, Miguel Vasquez had a standout afternoon with three wins, showcasing his consistent form. Trainer Jose D’Angelo also enjoyed a productive day, sending out two winners, including the improving Practiko and China Blue. Veteran jockey Edwin Gonzalez inched closer to a major personal milestone, securing his 1,996th career win in North America.
With this performance, And Uwish positions himself as a rising name to watch in Gulfstream Park’s summer season. For Orseno’s team, the win brought not only redemption after Extendo’s shortfall but also renewed confidence in the path ahead.
