Gill and Shuman Team for Deputy Minster Handicap Victory

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The controversial but successful team of trainer Mark Shuman and owner Michael J. Gill won two races on Sunday's Gulfstream Park card, including a decisive 4 1/2-length victory by Native Heir in the day's feature race, the $100,000 Deputy Minister Handicap (gr. III). Gill and Shuman also claimed two horses on the day.

Native Heir led all the way under jockey Cornelio Velasquez, completing the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:15.17 on a fast track. Binthebest finished second and Fire And Glory came in third. Deer Lake, Gygistar, Elite Mercedes, Greatness, and Maybry's Boy completed the order of finish.

Native Heir returned $20.80, $10.60 and $6.80. Binthebest paid $12.20 and $6.80 and completed the $166.80 exacta. Fire And Glory paid $11 to show.

Native Heir is a 5-year-old son of Makin. He was claimed for $50,000 last September. Native Heir has won 12 of 23 starts and earned $402,436. The Virginia-bred reeled off seven consecutive wins to cap his 3-year-old season, with the last three in stakes races. As a juvenile, he finished second – beaten by a neck – to Songandaprayer in the Huntington Stakes. He was bred by Spencer F. Young. Native Heir earned Gill $60,000 for the victory.

Gill and Shuman's other winner Sunday came in the eighth race with their recent $25,000 claim Pape, who returned to win a five-furlong allowance race at odds of 14-1. (Chart, Equibase)

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