As the 2025 Royal Palm Meet at Gulfstream Park heads into its final three days, the tension is mounting, the stakes are high, and the racing faithful are preparing for a dramatic Labor Day weekend finish.
Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. stood near his barn Thursday morning, smiling faintly as he watched his horses jog. “We’ve worked hard for this,” he said, planting a light kiss on the nose of one of his star fillies before heading to the paddock. That quiet moment summed up the mood around Gulfstream — calm on the surface, but brimming with anticipation.
Joseph Chasing 13th Gulfstream Crown
Joseph, already a dominant force at Gulfstream, is locked in a close battle with Jose D’Angelo as he eyes his 13th consecutive title at the track and a seventh straight Royal Palm Meet championship. He enters the weekend leading 55-50 and has 14 runners entered across the final three days, giving him plenty of ammunition.
D’Angelo, however, isn’t backing down. With 15 horses lined up for weekend action, the duel for the trainer’s title promises to provide one of the meet’s most compelling storylines.
Zayas Holds Firm in Jockeys’ Battle
If Joseph’s fight is tight, jockey Edgard Zayas enjoys a slightly wider cushion. The reigning champion leads Emisael Jaramillo 92-74 and looks well-positioned to defend his Royal Palm riding crown.
On Friday, Zayas has been named on seven mounts in Gulfstream’s 10-race program, while Jaramillo picks up five rides. But the weekend complicates things — both riders are booked for major assignments at Saratoga on Saturday, leaving the local leaderboard in flux.
Zayas will partner Be Your Best in the Flower Bowl (G2) and Spirit Doll in the Spinaway (G1) for Joseph. Meanwhile, Jaramillo is set to continue his perfect partnership with Mythical, the Delgado-trained filly who dazzled with three straight wins, including Saratoga’s Adirondack (G3) earlier this month.
Ramsey Aims to Hold Off Late Charge
In the owners’ race, Ken Ramsey holds a narrow edge with 13 winners this season, but the contest isn’t over yet. JC Racing Stable sits just three behind with 10 victories and is making an aggressive late push, fielding eight entries over the holiday weekend.
Ramsey, whose single Friday runner represents his final chance to pad the tally, faces a nervous wait to see whether his defending title survives the closing-day storm.
Rainbow 6 Resets, Lady Lullaby Headlines Juvenile Turf Test
The 20-cent Rainbow 6 jackpot begins afresh on Friday after last Sunday’s mandatory payout, offering another layer of intrigue to the meet’s final weekend. The sequence spans Races 5-10 and opens with a five-furlong maiden special weight for 2-year-old fillies on turf.
Among the most anticipated debutantes is Lady Lullaby — trained by Joseph and installed as the 9-5 morning-line favorite for e Five Racing Thoroughbreds and Madaket Stable. Zayas takes the reins, confident after a string of sharp Gulfstream workouts.
Stella Bionda, from the D’Angelo barn, poses the main threat at 3-1, with promising apprentice Yolber Torres booked for the ride.
Sunshine Meet Looms with Big Stakes
Once the curtain falls on the Royal Palm Meet this Sunday, attention swiftly turns to the 2025 Sunshine Meet, which kicks off Sept. 5 and runs through Nov. 23. The highlight comes on Sept. 20 with the $200,000 Princess Rooney (G3) — a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) at Del Mar.
Last year’s winner, Soul of an Angel, delivered a fairytale for Joseph, going on to capture the Breeders’ Cup crown. He’ll be looking to script another magical chapter this season.
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For race schedules, entries, and live updates, visit the Gulfstream Park Official Website.
