Gabaldon wins $110,000 Royal Palm Juvenile

The honor of getting the first 2-year-old stakes-winner for a Florida stallion in 2024 goes to Gone Astray.

Gabaldon, bred by Carol Reitman, Susan Gannon and Warren Miller, scored a game front-running victory in the $110,000 Royal Palm Juvenile Stakes in his career debut at Gulfstream Park on Saturday. Emisael Jaramillo was aboard the colt, who was a $9,000 OBS October yearling.

Gabaldon broke well from the No, 7 post in the race at five furlongs on the turf, and went right to the rail. He was joined in the two path by Governor Sam and the two battled head-and-head past the poles in a blazing :21.33 and :43.80, five lengths ahead of the closest pursuers. Gabaldon shook clear of Governor Sam in the stretch and held off the closers late to score by 1 1/4 lengths, clocked in :56.20. He paid $35, earned a check for $57,500, and received an 84 Equibase ‘E’ speed figure, along with an invitation to compete at Royal Ascot in June.