The thrill of a milestone lingers in the air at Gulfstream Park this Friday as veteran jockey Rajiv Maragh chases his 2,000th career victory in North America. After a nearly two-and-a-half-year hiatus, Maragh returned to racing on Oct. 20, 2024, and has been steadily regaining his rhythm aboard a mix of promising horses. Now, with just 10 wins to go, the seasoned rider brings experience, poise, and an unmistakable calm under pressure to an already competitive Sunshine Meet card.
Maragh will be in the irons aboard Celestial Express in Race 8, a one-mile starter allowance for fillies and mares. Celestial Express returns to trainer Doug Seyler’s barn following a 1 ¼-length claiming victory at Colonial Downs, and the combination of horse and rider has sparked excitement among fans and racing insiders alike. Maragh’s tactical acumen and ability to judge pace could prove decisive in this field, which includes multiple last-out winners like I Love Venezuela, Zo Zucchera, and No Mo Cookies.
I Love Venezuela, trained by Ronald Coy and bred in Florida by Orlyana Farm, continues to impress with a three-race winning streak at Gulfstream Park. The 4-year-old filly has excelled over 1 1/16 miles on the Tapeta, demonstrating the stamina and focus that come from being stretched out around two turns. Jockey Leonel Reyes, who is 12 wins shy of 1,000 career victories, will ride her from Post 6. The showdown between Maragh and Reyes adds an extra layer of intrigue to the day’s card, highlighting the mix of emerging talent and established stars at the meet.
Other contenders in Race 8 include Zo Zucchera, who brings back-to-back wins on the turf under Jose D’Angelo, and No Mo Cookies, a Tapeta specialist with two recent dominant victories. Grexi’s A, recently claimed for $17,500, and Smart Style, bred, owned, and trained by Roger Laurin, also enter in strong form, making the one-mile starter allowance an anticipated clash of in-form horses. Young Mary Marguerite, a 3-year-old homebred by Gift Box, and Celestial Express round out a competitive field, each seeking to make their mark.
Friday’s card features other highlights, including two maiden special weight events. Race 5 hosts 2-year-old fillies sprinting five furlongs on the grass, with five first-time starters among the eight entered. Race 7 for 3-year-olds and up covers seven furlongs on the main track, where Skellig Michael looks for a first win after two runner-up finishes, while first-time starters Magic Red and Thought Control—both by Grade 1 winners—represent co-meet-leading trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.
The Rainbow 6, Gulfstream Park’s popular six-race sequence, starts anew after producing jackpot payouts exceeding $190,000 over the past weekend. The six-race sequence runs from Races 4 through 9, with mandatory payouts scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 12. The jackpot’s structure continues to draw attention, rewarding bettors who correctly select all six winners while carrying forward a portion of the pool for unmatched tickets.
In addition to Maragh’s pursuit of 2,000 wins, Leonel Reyes is closing in on a major milestone of his own, sitting 12 wins away from 1,000 career victories. The Sunshine Meet jockey standings have been fiercely competitive, with the top seven riders separated by just six wins. Meanwhile, trainers Saffie Joseph Jr. and Jose D’Angelo are tied with nine wins apiece, both vying for the meet title.
Maragh’s journey back to the winner’s circle has been a testament to resilience and dedication. Multiple Grade 1 victories punctuate his career, and his return has reminded racing fans of his extraordinary talent, strategy, and calm under pressure. Riding Celestial Express in a field filled with last-out winners is not just a pursuit of numbers; it’s a chance to showcase experience, judgment, and the quiet confidence that defines champions.
As the Sunshine Meet continues, all eyes will be on Rajiv Maragh. Will he reach 2,000 wins this Friday, or will the competitive field of Gulfstream Park’s rising stars keep him waiting? Either way, his presence elevates the card, highlighting both the history and the excitement of American Thoroughbred racing.
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