Delgado Is In It To Win It

Majesto | Coady

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SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York–A top trainer in his homeland of Venezuela, Gustavo Delgado has only been training in America for two years, but has already made quite a name for himself. He finished second to champion Nyquist (Uncle Mo) with 21-1 shot Majesto (Tiznow) in the GI Xpressbet.com Florida Derby and captured his first Grade I with a 55-1 upset of Saratoga's GI Test S. with Paola Queen (Flatter) Aug. 9.

“Paola Queen was a surprise,” Delgado said with a laugh as he walked from his barn to the main track. “She was only beaten five lengths at Belmont [when fifth in the GI Acorn S. June 11]. I thought when entering Paola Queen in the Test that I had a chance. When you have one horse in a race with no superstar, you can't not enter. If you don't enter, you can't win.”

In keeping with his “You have to be in it to win it” motto, Delgado has entered Majesto in Saturday's GI Travers S. at morning-line odds of 30-1, and Grand Tito (Candy Ride {Arg}) in the GI Sword Dancer S., where he will face off with turf superstar Flintshire (GB) (Dansili {GB}).

“The Travers has 14 horses with no superstar in the race,” Delgado remarked. “Anything can happen. Last year they had American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile), a super star, and he lost to Keen Ice (Curlin), but now a year later, [Keen Ice] hasn't won anymore. So, anything can happen.”

Majesto broke his maiden at fifth asking at Gulfstream Feb. 27 and bested the likes of MGSW and GI King's Bishop S. contender Mohaymen (Tapit) when second in the Florida Derby next out Apr. 2. A non-factor 18th in the GI Kentucky Derby May 7, the bay was sixth last time in the Curlin S. here July 29.

“After the Kentucky Derby, we took him to the clinic at Belmont and the vet decided to treat his lungs,” Delgado commented. “After this he was training very good. He just needed some more works [for the Curlin], but now he is right and these conditions are very good for him, better than the Curlin.”

Majesto will add blinkers for this start on the recommendation of Javier Castellano, who was aboard for his maiden win and the Florida Derby. Castellano is the regular rider of Travers contender Destin (Giant's Causeway), so Delgado has called on Ricardo Santana, Jr. to pilot Majesto Saturday.

“I put the blinkers on because Castellano recommended it,” the conditioner offered. “He knows the horse very well. He has suggested blinkers in Florida before the Kentucky Derby, but I couldn't do it then. After the work Saturday, Castellano was with me, we are very good friends, and he said put the blinkers, so I did and he has been very good with the blinkers.”

As for his thoughts on the rider change, Delgado said, “Santana is a very good rider and very good in this meet. I think he is a good rider for Majesto and the five hole is very good, I like it.”

Winner of the 2014 GIII Miami Mile H., Grand Tito captured Gulfstream's GII Mac Diarmida S. Mar. 5 and was third in the GII Pan American S. Apr. 2. A late scratch from Churchill's GI Woodford Reserve Turf Classic May 7 after rearing in the saddling stall and hitting his head, and later being hit by a sign that blew off the roof, the dark bay finished fourth to Flintshire in the GI Woodford Reserve Manhattan S. June 11 and was second to him last time in the GII Bowling Green S. July 30

“Grand Tito is a very crazy horse, but he is a good horse,” Delgado remarked before pausing to point out Paola Queen galloping down the backstretch of the main track. “In the Sword Dancer, I think Chad Brown's horse is Flintshire is very good, but Grand Tito is in good condition and it is a good race for him. It is possible for another surprise.”

As for Paola Queen, Delgado was originally considering the GI Ballerina S. Aug. 27, but has changed his mind.

“I am not going to run her in the Ballerina,” the Venezuelan native said. “We will go back to Belmont. I prefer not to run her with the [older horses]. We will likely go to the [GI] Cotillion S. [at Parx Sept. 24].”

Majesto, Paola Queen and Grand Tito, as well as 20 other horses in Delgado's 50-horse stable, are owned by Alejandro Ceballos Grupo Seven C Racing. Also a native of Venezuela, Ceballos had horses with Delgado in their mother country before following the conditioner to the U.S. Delgado's main base is at Gulfstream Park, but he has a dozen horses in Saratoga for the summer.

“In Venezuela I trained for a long time,” he said. “Now in only two years, I am in Saratoga, in Kentucky, its very good for me. I'm very happy and for the owners too its very important.”

 

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