Photo:

Ryan Thompson / Gulfstream Park

Edwin Gonzalez claimed his first riding title at Gulfstream Park on Sunday, prevailing over defending champion Edgard Zayas by one win on closing day of the fall meet.

The 33-year-old jockey held a one-win lead over Zayas, 35-34, heading into Sunday’s 11-race program. Neither jockey made it into the winner’s circle on closing day.

“It’s a dream coming true,” Gonzalez said. “I’ve been working hard, working hard every morning. I’ve been getting good business. The trainers keep giving me opportunities and I’ll keep working hard.”

The Puerto Rico native, who began riding at Camarero before venturing to the U.S. in 2013, has established a year-round presence since switching his tack to Gulfstream at the tail end of the 2019-2020 winter meet.

Gonzalez has ridden 1,912 winners during his career while maintaining a 20-percent strike rate.

The fall meet was marked by excellence since getting underway Sept. 6.

C2 Racing Stable LLC, Agave Racing Stable and Ken Reimer’s Soul of an Angel won the meet’s marquee race Sept. 21, rallying from last following a tardy start to capture the Grade 3 Princess Rooney by 3 1/2 lengths. The Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained 5-year-old mare earned a fees-paid berth into the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint on Nov. 2 at Del Mar. The daughter of Atreides went on to victory in the seven-furlong sprint for fillies and mares during the Breeders’ Cup, closing from many lengths last to score by a half-length under Drayden Van Dyke, who rode her in the Princess Rooney.

Joseph collected his 11th consecutive training title during the fall meet with 39 winners.

St. Elias Stable’s Rated by Merit also garnered national attention during the fall meet after earning the fastest Beyer Speed Figure, 99, by a 2-year-old this year with a dominating 3 3/4-length triumph in the $200,000 Affirmed, the Oct. 19 second leg of the 2024 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes series for 2-year-olds sired by accredited Florida stallions.

The Michael Yates-trained son of Battalion Runner remained undefeated in three career starts that included a July 13 debut score by 9 3/4 lengths and a 6 1/2-furlong victory in the Dr. Fager on Sept. 7, the first leg of the Florida Sire Stakes series. Rated by Merit will seek to become the 11th colt or gelding to sweep the series during the upcoming winter meet in Saturday’s $300,000 In Reality.

Troy Johnson and Martiza Weston’s Win N Your In, who captured the Sharp Susan in open company during the summer meet, scored an impressive 4 1/2-length victory in the Oct. 19 Susan’s Girl, the second leg of the Florida Sire Stakes series for 2-year-old fillies. The Carlos David-trained daughter of Win Win Win is scheduled to clash with R Morning Brew, the winner of the Desert Vixen on Sept. 7, in the $300,000 My Dear Girl, Saturday’s series final.