Photo: Ryan Thompson / Gulfstream Park shows the backdrop as Saffie Joseph Jr. prepares for another championship meet. With a history of success, he's now aiming for his fourth consecutive title when Gulfstream Park's winter Thoroughbred showcase begins on Thursday.

Saffie Joseph Jr. - A Racing Phenomenon on the Path to Four Titles

2023-24 Championship Meet: A Springboard to Success

In the 2023-24 championship meet, Saffie Joseph Jr. achieved remarkable feats. He won his third consecutive championship meet title with an impressive 66 wins and collected $3,448,823 in purses. Just $12,000 less than Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, who had 37 winners including the Florida Derby (G1) hero Fierceness. Pletcher had won 18 consecutive championship meet titles before Joseph claimed the 2021-22 crown with 58 wins and repeated in 2022-2023 with 47 winners. This victory gave Joseph a significant boost as it was the championship meet, quality winter racing. Everyone was watching Gulfstream at that time, making it a big career achievement. Repeating the next year was as important as the first.The 37-year-old trainer used this title as a springboard for a career year in 2024. Soul of an Angel's thrilling last-to-first victory in the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Del Mar was a highlight. The 5-year-old daughter of Atreides finished second behind Joseph-trained Honor D Lady in the Royal Delta (G3) during the championship meet and then went on to win the May 4 Ruffian (G2) at Aqueduct, the Sept. 19 Princess Rooney (G3) at Gulfstream, and gave her trainer his first Breeders' Cup victory in the Filly & Mare Sprint. Soul of an Angel is now being pointed to her 2025 debut during the championship meet in the Dec. 26 Rampart, a one-turn mile stakes for fillies and mares that could be a steppingstone for the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) on Feb. 22.

Out-of-Town Graded Success: Honor D Lady and Skippylongstocking

Joseph also enjoyed out-of-town graded success with Honor D Lady. After her two-length triumph over Soul of an Angel in the Royal Delta, she won the Delaware Handicap (G2). Skippylongstocking won the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) before defending his title in the Charles Town Classic (G2).

Preparing for the Pegasus World Cup Invitational

Joseph appears to be preparing a couple of his stable stars for the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) on Jan. 25 at Gulfstream. White Abarrio, the winner of the 2022 Florida Derby (G1) and 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic, returned to Joseph's barn during the summer and won impressively by 10 1/4 lengths on Nov. 22. The 5-year-old could run next in the Dec. 21 Harlan's Holiday (G3), a prep race historically for the Pegasus, or the Dec. 28 Mr. Prospector (G3). Joseph said multiple Grade 2 winner Skippylongstocking would also be pointed toward the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational.