Steal Sunshine’s return to the winner’s circle came with a moment of quiet emotion. Trainer Bobby Dibona leaned in to give the 6-year-old gelding a light tap on the neck, a smile breaking across his face as Edgard Zayas dismounted, still flushed from the ride. It was a scene that spoke to relief as much as pride — fitting for a runner who had travelled widely this season, searching for this very spark.
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Steal Sunshine delivered it on Sunday at Gulfstream Park, sweeping past the determined Lure Him In in mid-stretch and forging clear by a length to take the $70,000 Finallymadeit Overnight Handicap — a race that reminded connections of the horse’s enduring grit after seven winless outings this year.
Zayas, who has partnered Steal Sunshine through triumphs and tougher afternoons alike, let out a laugh when asked about the journey. “I wanted him a little closer early, but he settled beautifully,” he said. “Once he straightened up, he knew what to do.”
Steal Sunshine Back to Winning Ways
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The win was completed in 1:44.59 for the 1 1/16-mile trip on a fast main track, marking Steal Sunshine’s fourth career stakes victory and pushing his overall earnings beyond $800,000 from 32 starts.
“It’s great to get him back to the winner’s circle,” Dibona said. “I’ve prepared him the same way since day one. I know what he likes, and he was ready today.”
The path to this win had been anything but smooth.
Steal Sunshine began the year with a sixth-place run in the Pegasus World Cup (G1) and came agonisingly close when second in defense of his 2024 Gulfstream Park Mile (G2) title. A flight to Dubai yielded a respectable fourth in the Godolphin Mile (G2), but his return stateside proved mixed — including a strong turf effort, a tough day at Kentucky Downs, and weeks of recalibration.
“We got a little faked out by his big turf run after Dubai,” Dibona admitted. “The horse that beat us went on to win a Grade 2. We thought we’d found something new, but Kentucky is never easy. Things just came a little unwound.”
They came together again on Sunday.
Breaking from Post 4, Steal Sunshine was briefly shuffled back. Zayas allowed him to find rhythm along the rail before swinging him into open air midway around the far turn. Up front, Swashbuckle and Lure Him In had carved out honest splits — 23.50 and 47.17 — but the duel softened them up perfectly for Steal Sunshine’s late surge.
At the top of the stretch, he ranged alongside Lure Him In before powering clear.
Lure Him In held second, a length in front of Lightning Tones. Awesome Train, Swashbuckle, Single Dot Yaht and Virginia City completed the order of finish.
“It worked out well,” Zayas said. “The distance helps him. He loves two turns.”
The race honors Florida homebred Finallymadeit, a warrior who won 12 stakes from 2006–09 and earned more than $1 million.
Gulfstream Park officials expect Friday’s racing to draw strong interest, with the Rainbow 6 pool projected to build toward $150,000 following an active week of racing. The sequence spans Races 4-9 and includes a deep 5½-furlong maiden special weight on Tapeta in Race 6 and a competitive Florida-bred fillies-and-mares sprint in Race 8.
In Race 6, Escapades, trained by Miguel Clement, debuts following a sharp workout at Belmont Park. Jose D’Angelo sends out Itza Teamster, while Saffie Joseph Jr. unveils Chief’s Pistol. D’Angelo also saddles Hot Lead, who closed strongly on turf in his local debut.
Race 8 features Be Thankful, who looks to rebound after a rare off-day. Two prior wins show her true ability, and she meets seasoned rivals including Michael Trombetta’s Souper Amazing, returning to the all-weather surface after a turf victory at Laurel Park.
Jockey Joe Bravo secured a double with Justin Smiles (Race 2) and Racing Driver (Race 7).
Rajiv Maragh moved to within three wins of the 2,000-career mark with Flying Liam in Race 4.
Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. extended his Sunshine Meet lead with two more victories, while Mystical Belle’s success helped Edgard Zayas edge ahead of Miguel Vasquez in the jockey standings — a margin Zayas widened with his win aboard Steal Sunshine.
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