Hammond Captures Stakes Debut in $75,000 Juvenile Sprint

Full Disclosure Springs 13-1 Upset in $70,000 Chasing Artie
Sunday’s Rainbow 6 Jackpot Pool Estimated at $200,000

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – C2 Racing Stable, JRM Stables, Mathis Stable and Ken Reimer’s well-rested Hammond, stepping up to stakes company out of a maiden win in early September, wrested the lead from stablemate Strategic Reserve at the top of the stretch and went on to a two-length victory in Saturday’s $75,000 Juvenile Sprint at Gulfstream Park.

The 6 ½-furlong Juvenile Sprint for 2-year-olds on the main track headlined an 11-race program that included the $70,000 Chasie Artie overnight handicap for 3-year-olds and up over the all-weather Tapeta course.

Ridden by Edgard Zayas for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., the second win on the program for each of the Sunshine Meet leaders, Hammond ($3.80) covered a fast surface in 1:18.19 for his second straight win. The chestnut son of Charlatan went off the 4-5 favorite in a field that lost early scratches Local Knowledge, trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, and Grade 2-placed Camigol.

“Todd’s horse was a big scratch. On paper it looked like he was in a different league, but we thought our horses were coming into the race well and deserved a shot,” Joseph said. “Obviously the scratch of that quality of horse made our jobs easier, but they still have to go out and do it.”

Thunder Chuck, exiting a fourth in the Saratoga Special (G2) Aug. 2 at Saratoga, broke sharp from his rail post but was outrun for the lead by Strategic Reserve, who led through a quarter-mile in 22.61 seconds and a half in 45.66 while pressed to his outside by Hammond. Rammaas raced in the clear three wide in third with Thunder Chuck saving ground on the rail in fourth.

Zayas, who rode both horses in their maiden wins, gave Hammond his cue leaving the far turn and they scooted past Strategic Reserve and powered home a good-looking winner. Thunder Chuck got up for second, followed by Rammaas and Strategic Reserve.

Hammond, purchased for $170,000 as a yearling last fall, enjoyed a trouble-free trip unlike his graduation when he was bumped and had to check at the start but still rallied to clear the field by 2 ½ lengths.

“I thought last time he got in a lot of trouble. Edgard, he actually chose [to ride] him. I would have chosen [Strategic Reserve]. He chose [Hammond], and he gave him a great trip,” Joseph said. “[Strategic Reserve], I thought he would run better than he did so I was a little disappointed in him but proud that Hammond was able to step up and win the race.”

Full Disclosure Springs 13-1 Upset in $70,000 Chasing Artie

Sherry Racing, Inc.’s Full Disclosure made a triumphant return to the races after 11 months away, turning back favored And Uwish to spring a 13-1 upset in Saturday’s $70,000 Chasing Artie overnight handicap.

Ridden by Miguel Vasquez for trainer Mohamed Jehaludi, 6-year-old Full Disclosure ($28.60) ran 5 ½ furlongs in 1:02.82 over the all-weather Tapeta course for his eighth career win from 29 starts and first in a stakes.

Full Disclosure, unraced since finishing fourth at the course and distance last Dec. 26 for previous trainer Shivananda Parboo, was hustled from the gate by Vasquez and maintained a short advantage over And Uwish through splits of 22.37 and 56.66 seconds. And Uwish pressed Full Disclosure into deep stretch but was unable to match strides with the winner.

Knockanara, making his synthetic debut after running third by a half-length in the Turf Sprint Championship Nov. 1 at Aqueduct, rallied to be third followed by Bob Umphrey Sprint winner Asher’s Edge, Sosua Summer, Neshume and Big Paradise. Roar Ready was scratched.

Chasing Artie, bred and owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey and trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., won the 2022 Bob Umphrey Sprint at Gulfstream and 2021 Palisades Turf Sprint at Keeneland and My Frenchman at Monmouth Park.

Sunday’s Rainbow 6 Jackpot Pool Estimated at $200,000

Gulfstream Park’s fall Sunshine Meet wraps up Sunday with a 20-cent Rainbow 6 jackpot pool estimated at $200,000.

First race post time is 12:20 p.m. The Rainbow 6 begins with Race 6, a starter optional claimer for 2-year-old fillies at a mile and 70 yards on the Tapeta. Imperia Blue is the 5-2 morning line favorite after dropping from maiden special weight company to a $50,000 maiden claimer Oct. 11 and running off and winning by 10 ¾ lengths under the same conditions. Others with wins over Tapeta include Reina Del Viento, Bella Jak, and Little Torch.

Race 8 in the sequence is a maiden special weight event at 1 1/16 miles on Tapeta. The race drew a field of nine including a tepid 7-2 favorite in Master Chief Mike, who breaks from the rail for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. after finishing second last out at a mile on the main track. Coach Kain also enters off a second-place finish here last out for trainer Mark Casse going two turns on the Tapeta.

The Rainbow 6 concludes with Race 11, a $35,000 maiden claimer for 2-year-old fillies at 5 ½ furlongs on Tapeta. The Package, trained by Carlos David, is 2-1 on the morning-line off a second-place finish in her debut at five furlongs on the turf Oct. 24. David will equip the filly with blinkers Sunday. The Beaster Bunny, trained by Kathleen O’Connell, and Oh Sheila, trained by Heather Smullen, make their debuts.