HALLANDALE BEACH - Trainer Victor Barboza Jr. visited the Gulfstream Park winner’s circle following the $75,000 Back as expected, not with the previously undefeated 1-5 favorite, Here Comes Francis, but with 25-1 outsider Mati Gol.

    “The horse that won was a surprise at 25-1, but for me, the horse wasn’t a big surprise,” Barboza said. “The horse has been improving all the time.”

    Here Comes Francis, who won his first two career starts in commanding front-running fashion, again went right to the front in the Carry Back, a seven-furlong test for 3-year-olds. He went on to set blistering fractions of :21.80 and :43.99 during the first half-mile over a sealed sloppy track, opening up on his five rivals by four lengths under Emisael Jaramillo. Meanwhile, Mati Gol settled far back in fourth under Jose Morelos along the backstretch.

    While the sizzling pace would prove to be the undoing of Here Comes Francis, it certainly benefited late-running Mati Gol, who accelerated on the far turn while hugging the rail before swinging to the outside entering the stretch. Here Comes Francis had no answer for the fresh legs that carried Mati Gol to a commanding 3 ½-length victory.

    “The race set up perfect. I was riding the horse the way the trainer told me – to stay off the speed. In the stretch, the horse came on strong on the outside to win the race. That was the plan, and we surprised everyone,” Morelos said. “The favorite was going very fast, so I was happy the pace was extremely fast. My horse was relaxed in the back of the pack, and I knew it was perfect for him to close.”

    The Tiny Equestrian Group’s Mati Gol, who had finished a late-closing third in the five-furlong Roar on turf last time out, ran seven furlongs in 1:23.25. Insurmountable closed from off the pace to finish second, 3 ¼ lengths ahead of Forged Steel, who nosed out a tired Here Comes Francis for third.

    Mati Gol ($59.80) often ran into trouble while winning one of his first five starts but couldn’t have gotten a better trip than he received under a hot-riding Morelos.

    Here Comes Francis, a $250,000 2024 OBS April purchase, overcame early bumping to grab control of his March 15 Gulfstream debut and went on to score a 1 ½-length victory over next-out winner Pursuitneversleeps, earning a 97 Beyer Speed Figure while running six furlongs in 1:09 2/5.  He came right back to run away with a 6 ½-furlong optional claiming allowance April 26 at Tampa Bay Downs by a handy 5 ¼ lengths. Both victories came over fast tracks.

    “It’s too soon to have an analysis of his race. Was it the sloppy track, the 43-second half, the no Lasix? All very important,” Barboza said. “I need to check on the horse tomorrow.”

    1/ST joins the entire Thoroughbred community in mourning the loss of Hall of Fame legend D. Wayne Lukas. With a career that spanned seven decades and redefined excellence, Wayne stood as a true icon of the sport.

Throughout his storied career, Wayne’s notable accomplishments included:

20 Breeders’ Cup victories including the 1999 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Gulfstream Park with Cat Thief.
15 Triple Crown race winners including seven Preakness Stakes triumphs
Four Santa Anita Derby wins at Santa Anita Park
Two Florida Derby wins at Gulfstream Park

    In 2024, at 88 years old, he became the oldest trainer ever to win a Triple Crown race, securing the 149th Preakness Stakes with Seize the Grey.

   Beyond the victories and trophies, Mr. Lukas inspired generations with his relentless work ethic, sharp eye for talent, and unwavering belief in what was possible. His legacy lives on not only in the horses he trained and the records he broke, but also in the many horsemen and women he mentored and elevated along the way

    Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and the countless lives he touched. Though we’ve lost a legend, the sport he shaped remains richer for his presence, and his rich legacy will endure.