- 13 minutes ago
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The combination of natural ability and late-race mettle secured another win for the still-maturing Grande.
The 4yo Curlin colt became dam Journey Home's 2nd GSW - and first on dirt - in Saturday's Gr3 Ghostzapper S. on Gulfstream Park's Florida Derby undercard.
While it's anticipated Grande will handle longer distances later this season, he's successfully negotiated a flat mile in consecutive Gulfstream starts. John Velazquez controlled the pace from the inside and awaited until just outside the 1/4 pole to shake the reins.
Capital Idea and Junior Alvarado produced a bold bid soon thereafter and Grande responded as he did in his seasonal bow, coming back nearest the rail under mild urging to prevail by 3/4 length.
Produced from a mare who did all her running on turf, the $300,000 Keeneland September yearling has won four of five career starts for owner Mike Repole and Todd Pletcher.
Journey Home is also dam of Ticker Tape Home (Medaglia d'Oro), a MGSW in Canada bred by Sam-Son Farm, who also campaigned her dam.
This season the Gr3 winning War Front mare produced an Oscar Performance colt for KatieRich Farms, breeder of Grande.