HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The complexion of Saturday’s $140,000 Gulfstream Park Sprint changed twice before post time. Earlier that morning, as expected, trainer Wesley Ward scratched the heavily favored Nakatomi. And several days earlier, Super Chow drew the rail for Saturday’s $125,000 Turf Dash at Tampa Bay Downs.
Trainer Jorge Delgado had cross-entered Super Chow in both the Turf Dash and Gulfstream Park Sprint with the intention of taking his speedster to Tampa. But because of what he felt was an unfavorable draw, Delgado opted instead to keep Super Chow at Gulfstream, a decision that paid big dividends after his multiple graded stakes winner rallied to a three-quarter-length victory over Concrete Glory in the Gulfstream Sprint.
Super Chow, winless in four starts since capturing the Grade 3 Maryland Sprint at Pimlico nine months ago, showed a bit of a new dimension on Saturday after being on the lead at the half-mile call in each of his eight starts dating back to his victory in the Grade 3 Toboggan last winter at Aqueduct.
Instead of sprinting right for the front, Super Chow rated several lengths off the early pace of Concrete Glory while held down the backstretch by jockey Jorge Ruiz. Super Chow bore out about six wide leaving the turn, then finished strongly. Straightening away for the drive, he ran down the tiring leader near the wire despite remaining on his left lead the entire length of the stretch.
Concrete Glory, a one-sided winner of his two previous starts, quickly sprinted clear and settled into the stretch with a seemingly comfortable advantage, but he could not last while also finishing on his left lead. Gordian Knot rallied along the inside to finish third, 4 3/4 lengths behind Concrete Glory, after being slammed at the start by Okiro.
Comedy Town, the 8-5 favorite, finished a disappointing fourth. He was followed by Swirvin and Okiro, who was eased at the end. Concrete Glory, Comedy Town, Swirvin ,and Okiro are all trained by Saffie Joseph Jr.
Super Chow ($8.40), who registered the eighth stakes victory of his career and third locally, is owned by Lea Farms. He completed six furlongs in 1:09.67 seconds over a fast track.
“The plan all the time was to run him on the grass. The post position made us decide to stay in this race instead, and fortunately it worked out,” said Delgado. “We also ran a little bit against his normal strategy today. He likes to go to the lead, but if we tried to run against that other horse [Concrete Glory], he most likely would have stopped. But he’s more mature now, and it’s nice to know now that he can do that.”
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