Going a mile and sixteenth in the Wasted Tears, jockey Edgard Zayas combined with 2-1 chance Libban, to beat the three-year-old and upward fillies and mares by 5-1/2 lengths.
Nine-to-one bet Norah G produced the early splits, clocking 23.38 seconds for the quarter mile and 47.61 for the half, Libban stalking from second and 13-1 bet Lady Jae just off the pace.
Zayas took closer order with the four-year-old bay filly Libban on the far turn before collaring the leader in the upper stretch, and dominating the final furlongs to hit the wire in a time of one minute, 41.28 seconds.
Joseph also found the winners’ circle on home turf in south Florida when Drayden van Dyke carried hot favourite Bluefield to an impressive 3-1/2 length score in a time of 1:16.50, to capture the Musical Romance.
In a 6-1/2 furlong sprint for the three-year-olds and upward fillies and mares, 18-1 choice Mojave Desert made the early running with 9-1 bet Cousin Kristi stalking, and van Dyke sitting his eight-year-old bay mare off the pace.
A strong stretch surge saw Bluefield reel in the leaders and pull away handsomely in the last sixteenth.
“I spoke with Saffie this morning. He told me to ride her with a little bit of finesse and get a good tactical spot and not to be on the lead. That’s where I found myself,” van Dyke said afterwards.
“He told me to work my way out if I could. I couldn’t work my way out until late, but it worked out really well. She came home with a nice kick.”
Van Dyke was sitting in for Zayas who travelled to Lone Star to successfully partner with Libban.
(CMC)
