Published:
Saturday, July 4, 2020
Bug boy Joe Trejos has turned Assertiko into a front-running terror at Gulfstream Park.
After earning his best Equibase 'E' speed rating of 93 while winning his previous start on the front end, Assertiko went one better yesterday in a one-mile allowance optional claimer with a purse of $47,000. Trejos rushed up on the inside to take the lead with the 3-year-old gelding before the field hit the first quarter, then posted eye-catching fractions of :23.75, :45.86, 1:09.67 and 1:22.40. At the wire, Assertiko was nearly four lengths in front with the mile completed in 1:35.99, getting his third check in a row for his trio of co-owners: Ron Spatz, his trainer, SCF Inc., his breeder, and former Gulfstream Park attorney David Romanik. The 'E' rating came back 99.
Assertiko is the first of Bahamian Squall's runners to reach four victories, and the winner's check of $28,700 raised his bank account to $99,380, just $620 away from becoming the second $100,000 earner for the stallion by Gone West.