HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Stick Talk fought back strongly in the closing stages to land the Palm Bay at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, October 3, 2026, giving jockey Edwin Gonzalez the first of his two handicap victories on the 10-race card. The two-year-old Florida-bred wore down Holy Warrior near the finish to secure a two-length victory for Bell Racing LLC and trainer Carlos David.
Holy Warrior established the early pace and led through opening fractions of 23.79 seconds and 46.30 seconds. Gonzalez kept Stick Talk within reach throughout the early stages before gradually asking the colt to close the gap approaching the stretch. Holy Warrior still held the advantage turning for home, but Stick Talk continued to press forward and eventually went past his rival near the wire.
Stick Talk completed the one-mile contest in 1:40.27 and had raced with blinkers for the first time. The victory also came after the colt was stretched out to a one-turn mile, with the added distance helping him produce a stronger finish. Holy Warrior, ridden by Diego Herrera, finished second, while Sir Angelus took third, five lengths further back.
The Palm Bay marked another successful partnership between Stick Talk and Gonzalez, who had previously ridden the colt to his maiden victory two starts earlier. Their reunion proved productive as Gonzalez positioned Stick Talk behind the early speed before keeping him under pressure through the final stages.
Gonzalez later completed a handicap double on the programme when he partnered Neat to victory in the Miami Mile co-feature. The Palm Bay therefore provided the first part of an afternoon that ended with two victories for the jockey.
Trainer Carlos David credited Gonzalez for Stick Talk’s improvement and said the colt had benefited from having the rider back aboard. He also felt the longer distance had helped Stick Talk produce a more effective finish.
David also believed the colt could have the ability to handle two turns in a future assignment. Stick Talk had shown a strong finishing kick over the mile and had been working well in the days before the race. The trainer described the Girvin colt as laid-back and suggested that his racing style could allow him to adapt to a longer trip.
The Palm Bay victory also gave Bell Racing LLC and David another stakes success on the day. Earlier, the same connections had celebrated Anna’s Promise winning the Twixt Stakes at Laurel Park, giving the team victories at two different venues within a short period.
Stick Talk’s two-length success over Holy Warrior provided a solid performance at Gulfstream Park and gave Gonzalez another notable result during a productive Saturday. The colt’s first experience with blinkers, his return to winning form and his response to the one-mile distance also provided positive signs for his next assignment.
Stick Talk fought back to defeat Holy Warrior in the Palm Bay at Gulfstream Park, with Edwin Gonzalez guiding the Florida-bred two-year-old to a two-length victory for Bell Racing LLC and trainer Carlos David.
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