Playing catch-up to make the 2025 Kentucky Derby field, Grande secured his berth in Saturday's Gr2 Wood Memorial.

Making his stakes debut in New York's signature Derby prep, the Curlin colt out of Journey Home (War Front) finished well to place 2nd behind Rodriguez, a front-running 3 1/2 length winner.

The 50 points earned for his runner-up finish places Grande 16th on the Derby points leaderboard, securing a spot in the 20-horse field for the May 3rd classic.

In the nine-furlong Wood, Grande was squeezed five-wide into the first turn. First-time partner Dylan Davis kept his mount in the clear thereafter before rallying wide at the 1/4 pole. Mike Smith had opened a four-length lead aboard Rodriquez as Grande surpassed Passion Rules en route to placing a clear 2nd.

“He got some kickback for the first time and handled that well. It just got a little messy into the first turn,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “Dylan kind of had to check off heels. That fanned him out pretty wide, but I thought he put in a good, long sustained run, and the experience hopefully moves him forward.”

The KatieRich Farms graduate debuted in February at Gulfstream Park, winning his first two starts there under John Velazquez, both on dirt. Journey Home raced exclusively on turf for Sam-Son Farm yet the 2015 Keeneland September graduate also boasts a versatile lineage.

Her 2nd dam Soul Search (A.P. Indy) was Gr1-placed on dirt and is 1/2 sister to the dam of Gr1 Arkansas Derby winner Nadal. Soul Search is out of Solar Colony (Pleasant Colony), full-sister to champion 2yo filly Pleasant Stage.

Full NYRA race video here http://bit.ly/4cJfann