Gulfstream: On the Derby Bubble, Grand Mo the First Breezes at Gulfstream

By David Joseph —-

Grand Mo the First; Gulfstream Photo
April 14, 2024

On the Derby Bubble, Grand Mo the First Breezes at Gulfstream

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Granpollo Stable’s Grand Mo the First, who finished a distant third behind Fierceness in the $1 million Curlin Florida Derby (G1), was sent to the track Sunday morning for a five-furlong maintenance workout at Gulfstream Park.

The Victor Barboza Jr. trainee was timed in 1:03. 95 in his first breeze since the March 30 Florida Derby. Following the defection of Jose D’Angelo-trained No More Time, who came out of a five-furlong breeze Sunday morning at Palm Meadows Training Center with an injury, the son of Uncle Mo sits 21st under the guidelines that will determine the 20-horse field for the May 4 Kentucky Derby (G1).

“It was very bad news at Palm Meadows,” Barboza said. “I think 21 is a good position. Next week, the horse will breeze at Gulfstream, and if everything is OK, he will go to Churchill.”

Grand Mo the First gave his trainer exactly what he was looking for Sunday morning.

“It was a very relaxed breeze. It was important for me for him to finish strong after the wire,” Barboza said. “The horse is a happy horse.”

Grand Mo the First raced evenly while chasing Fierceness throughout the 1 1/8 miles of the Curlin Florida Derby, finishing 16 lengths behind the 2023 juvenile champion, 2 ½ lengths behind runner-up Catalytic. Three weeks earlier, the son of Uncle Mo missed winning the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) by a neck while finishing third behind victorious Domestic Product and runner-up No More Time.

Grand Mo the First launched his career with back-to-back victories over Gulfstream’s Tapeta course before finishing third in the Oct. 8 Zuma Beach (G3) on turf at Santa Anita. He kicked off his 3-year-old campaign with a troubled third-place finish in the Feb. 3 Swale before stretching out in the Tampa Bay Derby.

Should Barboza have the opportunity to saddle Grand Mo the First for a start in the Kentucky Derby, it would be a dream come true.

“It’s been a dream since I was a child in Venezuela. Every year, I watched the Kentucky Derby,” Barboza said. “I have a good chance today to enter the Derby.”

It has also been a dream for D’Angelo – a dream that was dashed Sunday morning when x-rays determined that No More Time had sustained a condylar fracture in his left front leg.

“His breeze was beautiful,” said D’Angelo, whose Tampa Bay Derby runner-up was timed in 1:01.90 for five furlongs at Gulfstream Park’s satellite training facility. “But when he came back to the barn, he was off.”

No More Time will undergo surgery to repair the injury Monday.

About The Stronach Group and 1/ST

The Stronach Group is a world-class technology, entertainment and real estate development company with Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering at the core. The Stronach Group’s 1/ST business (pronounced “First”) is North America’s preeminent Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering company and includes the 1/ST RACING & GAMING, 1/ST CONTENT, 1/ST TECHNOLOGY and 1/ST EXPERIENCE businesses, while advocating for and driving the 1/ST HORSE CARE mission. 1/ST represents The Stronach Group’s continued movement toward redefining Thoroughbred racing and the ecosystem that drives it. 1/ST RACING & GAMING drives the best-in-class racing operations and gaming offerings at the company’s premier racetracks and training centers including: Santa Anita Park, Golden Gate Fields and San Luis Rey Downs (California); Gulfstream Park – home of the Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series, Gulfstream Park West and Palm Meadows Thoroughbred Training Center (Florida); the Maryland Jockey Club at Laurel Park, Pimlico Race Course – home of the legendary Preakness Stakes, Rosecroft Raceway and Bowie Training Center (Maryland). 1/ST CONTENT is the operating group for 1/ST’s media and content companies including: Monarch Content Management, Elite, TSG Global Wagering Solutions (GWS) and XBTV. 1/ST TECHNOLOGY is racing’s largest racing and gaming technology company offering world-class products via its AmTote, Xpressbet, 1/ST BET, XB SELECT, XB NET, PariMAX and Betmix brands. 1/ST EXPERIENCE blends the worlds of sports, entertainment and hospitality through innovative content development, elevated national and local venue management and hospitality, strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and procurement development. As the advocate for critical industry reforms and by making meaningful investments into aftercare programs for retired horses and jockeys, 1/ST HORSE CARE represents The Stronach Group’s commitment to achieving the highest level of horse and rider care and safety standards in Thoroughbred racing on and off the track. The Stronach Group’s TSG Properties is responsible for the development of the company’s live, play and work communities surrounding its racing venues including: The Village at Gulfstream Park (Florida) and Paddock Pointe (Maryland). For more information, please email david.joseph@gulfstreampark.com, visit www.1st.com or follow @1ST_racing on Twitter or @1stracing on Instagram and Facebook.

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