Leonel Reyes marked his return to Gulfstream Park with a remarkable five-winner performance on Saturday, delivering one of the standout riding displays of the summer programme. The 40-year-old Venezuelan jockey completed an impressive four-race winning streak from Races 4 through 7 before adding another victory later on the card.
Leonel Reyes’ Gulfstream Park Comeback
Reyes, a two-time champion rider in Venezuela, had been sidelined for the entire 2025-2026 Championship Meet after suffering a left-ankle fracture in a racing accident last November. His successful comeback has quickly restored him among the leading names on the Gulfstream circuit.
The jockey began his winning run aboard Restock in Race 4, followed by victories with Valdero in Race 5, Army Salute in Race 6 and Private Thoughts in Race 7. He completed his five-winner afternoon when Nina’s Last Gift produced a comfortable success in Race 11.
The achievement added another memorable chapter to Reyes’ Gulfstream Park career. Since moving from Venezuela in 2016, he has established himself as one of the circuit’s most reliable riders, building a strong record throughout the year. Earlier this season, he reached another career milestone by recording his 1,000th North American victory on April 25 shortly after returning from his injury break.
Reyes also enjoyed a productive partnership with trainer Jose D’Angelo during the programme. Restock and Army Salute both contributed to their successful afternoon, while D’Angelo-trained Vincey Girl captured the featured $100,000 Powder Break Stakes.
The summer racing schedule at Gulfstream Park continues with racing on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays through August 31. The Sunday programme features a 10-race card, with the Rainbow 6 sequence scheduled across Races 5 through 10.
The card includes maiden special weight contests for fillies and mares, with sprint events over five and six furlongs providing opportunities for developing runners. Several promising youngsters are expected to continue their progression during the summer campaign.
Meanwhile, unbeaten juvenile Hot Rod Honey is preparing for her next assignment following an impressive victory in the $100,000 Sharp Susan Stakes on July 3. The two-year-old filly is being aimed towards the $100,000 FHBPA Scandalous Act Stakes on August 8 at Gulfstream Park.
Trained by Carlos David, Hot Rod Honey improved her unbeaten record to two wins from two starts with a dominant 4¼-length success in the Sharp Susan Stakes. The daughter of first-year sire Roadster had previously opened her career with a maiden special weight victory against Florida-breds on June 5.
The filly has shown strong racing ability in her early outings, displaying the maturity to settle behind the pace before producing a powerful finishing effort. Her ability to remain composed during races has been a key factor in her rapid development.
Purchased for $27,000 at the Keeneland November 2024 breeding stock sale, Hot Rod Honey has continued her preparation at Palm Meadows, Gulfstream Park’s satellite training facility in Palm Beach County. The FHBPA Scandalous Act Stakes will represent her third start in a nine-week period as connections carefully manage her progression.
With Reyes making a successful return and several promising young horses emerging, Gulfstream Park’s summer racing season continues to produce compelling stories for racing fans.
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