General a Rod Beats Wildcat Red By A Head at Gulfstream Park

General a Rod Beats Wildcat Red by a Head at Gulfstream Park

General a Rod and jockey Joel Rosario won the $100,000 Gulfstream Park Derby on New Year’s Day by a head in Hallendale Beach, Florida. Wildcat Red and General a Rod fought to the finish line giving fans a big New Year’s Day thrill at Gulfstream Park.

The three-year-old, who officially turned three just today, broke from the outside post in a field of nine in the 2014 Gulfstream Park Derby. This was General a Rod’s first stakes win. The colt will surely be watched closely down the Kentucky Derby Trail after his Gulfstream Park Derby victory.

General a Rod, trained by Mike Maker, beat out 7-2 Wildcat Red and jockey Paco Lopez, who placed 2nd in today’s Gulfstream Park Derby.

Trainer Mike Maker stated, “We drew great. He got a perfect trip. I have no complaints.” Mike Maker added, “He’s always shown great promise. He’s a big, immature colt, but since his last race he’s made no mistakes. We were looking for a big effort today and we got it.”

Jockey Joel Rosario reported after the race, “When I got to the horse in front, he just kind of waited a little bit. He didn’t want to go by, but the other horse was running pretty good, too.” Rosario added, “I thought I had a little more left when I asked him, but he did the job. I think he’s still learning now, so going forward he’ll be even better.”

General a Rod completed the one-mile fast track 2014 Gulfstream Park Derby in 1:35.84.

2014 Gulfstream Park Derby Results & Payouts
9 General a Rod and Joel Rosario $9.60 to Win, $5.20 to Place, $3.60 to Show
1 Wildcat Red and Paco Lopez $5.20 to Place, $4.20 to Show
5 East Hall and Juan C. Leyva $8.60 to Show
Also ran: 6 – Pablo Del Monte , 4 – Aarons Orient , 3 – Enthrone , 2 – Gone as Wind , 8 – Grand Arrival , 7 – Best Plan Yet
See Trixie’s Gulfstream Park Derby Pixies

Gulfstream Park Derby 2014 Replay:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txmlyN7N3QY