By Jim Freer
Galleon Mast became a two-time stakes winner on Labor Day at Gulfstream Park.
Anne D. Scott’s Galleon Mast beat Domino Enterprises, Inc.’s Blue Harbor by 2 ¼ lengths in the $50,000 The Vid Handicap at 1 1/16 miles for 3-year-olds and up.
Galleon Mast is a 4-year-old gelded son of Mizzen Mast. He captured the Eight Miles East Handicap by a head after entertaining a competitor through the stretch run Aug. 6, but had his eyes on the finish line and not his rivals on Labor Day at Gulfstream Park, drawing off to a commanding 2 ¼-length victory in the $50,000 The Vid Handicap.
The David Fawkes-trained gelding, who was sent to post as the 3-5 favorite in the 1 1/16-mile overnight turf handicap, settled off on the backstretch behind a slow pace set by Diamond Bachelor, who posted fractions of 25.51 seconds and 49.78. On the far turn jockey Tyler Gaffalione sent Galleon Mast between horses and advanced into a striking position leaving the turn in to the backstretch. Finding room at the top of the stretch, Galleon Mast offered a powerful kick that propelled him to a solid victory over Fawkes-trained Blue Harbor, who chased the pace and took a brief lead in the stretch.
“It was a pretty uneventful race. He sat in a perfect spot. The only thing that scared me a little was how slow they were going,” Fawkes said. “My other horse ran great and finished second. This horse [Galleon Mast] ran big today and he didn’t wait.”
Galleon Mast ran 1 1/16 miles a firm turf in 1:42.58 to register his sixth win in 19 career starts and 15th on-the-board finish. Blue Harbor, ridden by Miguel Vasquez, finished 1 ¼-lengths ahead of third-place finisher J R’s Holiday.