Tessellate’s return to the Gulfstream Park winner’s circle on Saturday had a warmth to it that went beyond the stopwatch. Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. greeted the filly with a proud smile and a gentle pat on the neck, while jockey Edgard Zayas, still catching his breath, looked back at the track as if replaying the moment she exploded away from the field. It was a performance that brought an audible swell from the grandstand—one of those rare stretches where a young horse outruns expectation and turns potential into conviction.
The $75,000 Juvenile Fillies Sprint became Tessellate’s coming-of-age victory, and she delivered it with authority. After placing in consecutive stakes tries, the daughter of McKinzie finally found her breakout moment, storming clear by 13 emphatic lengths for Magic Cap Stables, Paul Braverman, Timothy Pinch, Castle Gate Farm, Kuehne Racing and John Reinhardt.
Zayas kept her pocketed in third early as La Dolce Vita and Epigram locked horns through an opening quarter in 22.13 seconds. The favourite, La Dolce Vita, began to fade midway around the far turn, and that was all the invitation Tessellate needed. Zayas nudged her off the rail, and she surged with a stride that suggested she’d been waiting for open air all along. From there, the race was decided before the field even straightened for home.
“She did it well,” Joseph said afterward. “There was plenty of speed, and we left it up to Edgard. He broke sharp but let them go on, kept them honest, then took back. That was the winning move.”
Lady Chance, a 40-1 outsider, ran on for a distant second, three lengths clear of Dakota’s Lil Auror. Epigram, Nour, Make Your Wish and La Dolce Vita completed the order of finish. Mystical Belle, Tessellate’s stablemate, was scratched to run in an optional claiming sprint on Sunday’s programme.
For Tessellate—already a debut winner over five furlongs—this was her second victory from four starts. Joseph had tried stretching her to a mile earlier in the Hallandale Beach, but Saturday confirmed her strength lies in her speed.
Zayas was encouraged by what he felt beneath him. “She had a beautiful trip,” he said. “When I looked up at the screen, she was all alone. She had plenty left. We’re looking forward to the winter with her.”
Tessellate’s Juvenile Fillies Sprint win anchors Gulfstream Park weekend
Away from Tessellate’s headline performance, Gulfstream Park prepared for another busy afternoon with Sunday’s Rainbow 6 jackpot pool projected at $125,000. The sequence covers Races 5-10, with the $70,000 Finallymadeit Handicap (Race 9) providing the centrepiece. Steal Sunshine and Lightning Tones share top weight in the 1 1/16-mile test for older runners.
Race 6 brings a maiden sprint for juvenile fillies, featuring Tahlequah—by Classic winner Authentic—and Jestina, who showed good early dash on debut.
In Race 7, Accelerate returns for Todd Pletcher after an impressive maiden win at Tampa Bay Downs last March. Meanwhile, Race 8 sees Mystical Belle take on Spinelli in a Tapeta allowance for 2-year-old fillies.
Jockey Emisael Jaramillo notched four victories on the afternoon with Juliee’s Legacy, Excuses, Blame Yasself and Takecareofbusiness. Zayas also enjoyed a productive day, posting a treble that included Tessellate’s runaway success.
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