Sunday, Oct. 11–The Gulfstream Park West meet at Calder will have ten races today with first post time of 1:15 p.m., and the day will be a new step in the career of jockey Tyler Gaffalione.
Gulfstream also will have a ten-race card on Monday, Columbus Day, with a 1:15 p.m. first post.
There are no stakes races either day.
Gaffalione ended his apprentice career Saturday. It was the first anniversary of his fifth career win.
Starting today, he will no longer have a five[-pound allowance in non-stakes races.
And there are early indications that the loss of the “bug” status will not deter trainers and owners from using Gaffalione. He has mounts in nine of today’s ten races.
Gaffalione, the son of former rider Steve Gaffalione, took the summer riding title at Gulfstream Park. He leads all apprentice riders this year with 182 victories from 1,135 starts and earnings of $4.855 million.
The South Florida native, who rode five winners Sept. 20 and won Saturday’s fourth race, is hoping to continue his success Sunday when he begins riding as a journeyman.
“I really don’t have any expectations,” Gaffalione told the Gulfstream pres office. “I’m not sure what’s going to happen yet, but a few people have told me that they’re going to continue to use me, and as long as I can keep winning races and riding for the right people I think I’ll be alright.”
Gaffalione says his plan is to stay in South Florida throughout the year. “For now, this is my home.”
