HALLANDALE BEACH, FL — Ironhorse Racing Stable and Harlow Stables’ Mattingly delivered a perfectly timed late run Saturday at Gulfstream Park, splitting rivals in deep stretch and holding off favored Thought Control by a neck to capture the $100,000 Bob Umphrey Sprint.
Making just his second start following a three-month layoff, the 5-year-old Florida-bred gelding showed patience and determination under California-based jockey Juan Hernandez, covering five furlongs over Gulfstream’s Tapeta surface in 56.37 seconds.
The 36th running of the Bob Umphrey Sprint was the first of three stakes on Saturday’s program offering a combined $425,000 in purses, highlighted by the $225,000 Princess Rooney (G3), a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the Filly & Mare Sprint (G1).
Hernandez saves ground and waits for his moment
Breaking from the rail, Mattingly was sharp away from the gate, but Hernandez elected not to challenge a blistering early pace.
Esperon fired to the front and posted an opening quarter in 20.82 seconds, with Thought Control applying pressure and stakes-winning filly Sunna tracking from third.
Mattingly, meanwhile, was allowed to settle at the rear of the eight-horse field.
The half-mile went in 43.66, with Esperon still narrowly in front of Thought Control as Hernandez patiently searched for racing room approaching the stretch.
Once an opening appeared, Mattingly accelerated between horses, joined Thought Control inside the final furlong and prevailed in a dramatic drive to the wire.
“He broke beautiful from the gate, but there were a lot of good speed horses earlier, so I decided to save ground and make one run,” Hernandez said. “When I asked him to pick it up, he responded to me.”
A successful transformation for Mattingly
The victory represented another important step forward for Mattingly, who was making his second start since being gelded.
Trainer Joe Orseno decided to give the son of Bucchero time away from racing following an eighth-place effort in the Thirsty Fish overnight handicap in May. Mattingly returned Aug. 9 in the Warrior’s Pride overnight handicap on turf, finishing less than a length behind stablemate Extendo.
Orseno entered both horses in the Umphrey, while stablemate Rezasrolex was scratched after recently returning from Virginia.
“We think he is a pretty nice horse, a very talented horse,” Orseno said of Mattingly. “He had a couple horrendous trips out here, but I knew he had the tools.”
The trainer was particularly pleased to secure Hernandez, who traveled to Gulfstream to ride Grade 1-placed Simply Joking in the Princess Rooney.
“He gave him a great ride, and the horse was full of run,” Orseno said. “You can’t do it without the horse. I knew he was coming up to a big race.”
More than $400,000 in career earnings
Bred in Florida by Lance Colwell out of the Grand Slam mare Battingstar, Mattingly returned $11 to win.
Saturday’s victory was his fourth from 20 career starts, accompanied by five runner-up finishes and five thirds. The performance also pushed his career earnings beyond the $400,000 mark.
Thought Control held second, finishing 1 ½ lengths ahead of Esperon in third. Rouki, Itza Boss, Full Disclosure, Extendo and Sunna completed the order of finish.
Orseno indicated that slightly more distance could suit Mattingly going forward.
“I don’t think five-eighths is his best distance, but he ran well today,” he said. “Hopefully we can get 5 ½ [furlongs] next time.”
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