Barboza gets Grand Mo the First back on turf in Bear's Den

Trainer Victor Barboza Jr. believes Grand Mo the First ran one of his best races in his lone start on the grass and so the horse’s first out since the Kentucky Derby will come on turf Saturday in the $95,000 Bear’s Den at Gulfstream Park.

The one-mile race for 3-year-olds is one of two stakes on the card. The Barboza-trained Majestic Venezuela will start as a chief contender in the $95,000 Miss Gracie.

Grand Mo the First earned a chance at the Kentucky Derby after running third in the Swale, Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby, and the Grade 1 Florida Derby. He finished 18th in the Derby and following the start was given time off at a farm. He also had some fun, light mornings jogging in a round pen.

“I think the horse is very fresh for this race,” Barboza said. “Sometimes you think the horse is very tired for the physical, but it’s very possible he’s not tired physically. He’s tired in the mind.”

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Barboza felt a mental break was in order for Grand Mo the First and he’s been pleased with how he’s come back and worked in advance of the Bear’s Den.

“He’s ready for the race,” he said. “It was important he had time after the Derby.”

Barboza has long believed Grand Mo the First would run well on turf and he and Granpollo Stable gave the horse the opportunity at 2 in the Grade 3 Zuma Beach at Santa Anita.

“He’s back on turf and to me, the best races for the horse have been the Zuma Beach and the Tampa Bay Derby,” Barboza said. “In California, he was only [beaten] three lengths by Endlessly, who had been impressive on the turf all year.”

Grand Mo the First will start from post 4. Emisael Jaramillo has the mount on the son of Uncle Mo.

“I think there’s a lot of speed in the race and it’s good for my horse,” said Barboza.

Barboza said depending on how the start goes for Grand Mo the First and Jaramillo, he could see the horse settling just off the pace in fifth or sixth.

Grand Mo the First began his career last year at Gulfstream with back-to-back sprint wins on Tapeta.

Grand Mo the First will face some notable rivals in the field of 10.

General Ledger won a first-level allowance route on turf in his last start July 19. Drayden Van Dyke has the mount for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.

Freedom Principle is back on the Gulfstream turf after a pair of trips out of town. His last win came over the local lawn in the English Channel Stakes.

Salvattore Prince has worked sharply for his first start since May. His moves include a bullet five-furlong drill in 59.80 seconds July 27 at Palm Meadows.

“He’s going in from a little layoff,” said trainer Jose D’Angelo. “I know the race is not an easy spot, but you know, he’s come up to the race pretty good.”

Kentucky Derby-winning rider Sonny Leon has the mount from post 5.

Miss Gracie

The Miss Gracie is for 3-year-old fillies at a mile on turf. It drew a field of nine, including stakes winner Chi Chi.

Majestic Venezuela made her stakes debut last out. On June 9, after being bumped at the start, she rallied for second in the Martha Washington. She figures to be closer to the pace Saturday when she breaks from post 2 under Jaramillo.

“I need a good position the first quarter [mile] in the race,” Barboza said. “I don’t think she’ll run in the back of the group, the same position for the last race. I think she’ll run very sharp. The turf at Gulfstream is very fast.”

The Martha Washington was originally scheduled for turf, but was run on Tapeta. One start prior, Majestic Venezuela won a first-level allowance on the grass at Gulfstream.

“She’s happy on the turf,” Barboza said. “She’s only run once on the turf and it was a very good run. The numbers and the pedigree are very good for the turf. The line is very good for the turf. Her half-brother, Venezuelan Hug, was very good on the turf.”

Venezuelan Hug closed out his career with three straight stakes wins over the Gulfstream lawn, including the track’s Grade 3 Canadian Turf.

Majestic Venezuela is a daughter of Mendelssohn who races for her breeder, Orlyana Farm.

Chi Chi, who last year won the E.L. Gaylord Memorial at 6 1/2 furlongs at Remington Park, is making her two-turn debut. She is a daughter of Audible.

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