The Championship Meet titles have been decided at Gulfstream Park with trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., and owner Ken Ramsey topping their respective categories.
Joseph collected his fourth consecutive meeting accolade with 70 victories and his 12th consecutive title overall at the track. In addition to wins, he also topped the standing by purses won with more than $5.8-million to his credit. Highlights included MGISW White Abarrio (Race Day) and his exhibition-like performances in the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational and last Saturday's GIII Ghostzapper Stakes on the Florida Derby undercard.
“This has definitely been our best meet because this is the first time we're going to lead in earnings and winners. I think last year we got beat by a small margin in earnings, so it just shows that we have some quality horses,” Joseph said. “All the credit to the owners for giving us the horses. We're very thankful to them.”
White Abarrio's pilot in both those scores, Irad Ortiz Jr., collected his third straight Championship Meet title with 109 wins. He's claimed the riding crown in six of the past seven meetings. Ken Ramsey took home the owner title for a second straight time with 18 victories.
The Royal Palm meeting gets underway Thursday, will run through Aug. 30, and will include qualifiers for the Royal Ascot Stakes in June.
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