Lauren King/Coglianese Photos
By Sarah Mace
Royal Posse, trained by Rudy Rodriguez and campaigned by Michael Dubb, Bethlehem Stables and Gary Aisquith, had a triumphant day Saturday. The 5-year-old gelding by New York sire Posse successfully (and grittily) defended his title in the $200,000 Claiming Crown Jewel, the centerpiece of Gulfstream Park’s Opening Day Claiming Crown card, and crossed the seven-figure threshold in earnings to bring his career total to $1,011,245.
Royal Posse was enthusiastically backed by bettors to repeat in the CC Jewel, 1 1/8-mile event for horses that have raced for a claiming price of $35,000 or lower: he was sent off the 3-5 post time favorite on the strength of being in career form, having just reeled off three straight victories in the Alydar Stakes, Evan Shipman Stakes and Empire Classic. On top of that, the gelding is as honest and hard-trying as they come. In 13 starts since being claimed by his connections on May 31, 2015, Royal Posse had won seven races, including six stakes, and never finished out of the exacta.
In the early stages of the CC Jewel, Royal Posse saved ground in fourth through the first turn, then settled in the pocket in the backstretch, while Homespun Hero and Diamond Bachelor set an honest pace up front, covering a quarter mile in 23.92 and a half in 47.56.
Dropping back slightly to six lengths off the pace before rounding the turn, Royal Posse then came under a drive, moved one more path off the rail, and hit his best stride by the quarter pole.
Four wide in the charge to the wire, Royal Posse had only Diamond Bachelor still to catch. He steadily wore down his rival, prevailing in the last half-dozen strides to win by a half-length and stop the clock in a final time of 1:49.84. John Jones finished two more lengths back in third.
Winning jockey Luis Saez, aboard Royal Posse for the first time, reported, “He broke good and he was very comfortable. At the half-mile pole, he was a little bit heavy but he kept going and when I started riding he responded. When we came to the stretch I put him in the clear and he took off. When you ask him, he just keeps going.”
“I wasn’t worried. I know when he’s outside, he’s a grinder,” said trainer Rodriguez. “Luis said as soon as he took him outside, he started grinding and grinding. That’s what he does most of the time.”
Rodriguez added, “He’s a really game horse. Every time, he tries so hard. I know the stretch isn’t as long as the stretch at Saratoga and Belmont, but he did it. I’m very happy and proud of him.
“We claimed him at the right time. When we got him, he was pretty sound horse. He’s like an ATM. You put him in (a race) and he gives it to you. You don’t have to put much back, just keep him happy.”
Bred by Richard J. Troncone Senior and Junior, and foaled at Mill Creek Farm near Stillwater, Royal Posse is one of four winners from seven starters out of Struckbylightning, an unraced Kentucky-bred daughter of Cryptoclearance. Her one other black type performer is Ampart Ridge by Cactus Ridge, who earned $176,000. The mare’s most recent reported foal is a 2-year-old filly by Desert Party.
The gelding’s million-dollar bankroll has come from 11 victories and 10 runner-up finishes in 24 starts.
