Guns and Roses romps at Gulfstream, now he’s in a new barn

Guns and Roses finished third in his debut, then broke his maiden by 2 1/4 lengths in his second start in a clocking nearly five lengths over the track record. His owners and trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. apparently thought they would be safe sending the 3-year-old Neolithic gelding back in $35,000 claiming company. How wrong they were.

The gelding bred by Patrick Hoppel not only went wire-to-wire in start No. 3, he coasted to the finish line an eye-opening 12 1/2 lengths in front. The $21,000 OBS Open 2-year-old paid $4.40 and posted a clocking of 1:15.89 on the tote board, a little less than 1 1/2 seconds off Gulfstream Park’s track record for 6 1/2 furlongs. Guns and Roses earned a check for $28,350, making it a $63,350 payday for the old owners, and the loss of a potential major money-maker in their barn.