Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf: Grand Mo the First makes it into field
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Grand Mo the First and Bentornato have emerged as 2-year-olds of significance this season at Gulfstream Park. Both have upcoming stakes engagements.
Grand Mo the First was pre-entered in the Grade 1, $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf on Nov. 3 at Santa Anita by trainer Victor Barboza Jr. Grand Mo the First was ranked 16th to make it into the 14-horse field but two Friday defections mean he will be allowed to run.
Grand Mo the First won the first two starts of his career in Tapeta sprints at Gulfstream. In his last start, he was third in the Grade 3 Zuma Beach at a mile on turf Oct. 8 at Santa Anita.
“He’s stayed in California,” Barboza said.
Bentornato is bound for the $300,000 In Reality division of the Florida Sire Stakes on Dec. 2 at Gulfstream, according to his trainer, Jose D’Angelo.
The horse has won the first two legs of the series and will be going for a sweep when he moves to two turns for the first time in the 1 1/16-mile In Reality.
“I think he’ll handle the two turns,” D’Angelo said. “We’ve been stretching out a little bit and he’s responding very well.”
Bentornato won the first Florida Sire Stakes division at six furlongs and came back to win the second division, the Affirmed, over seven furlongs. He was with the pace in the Affirmed and could get a more relaxed pace scenario when he picks up ground for the In Reality, D’Angelo noted.
“He made fast fractions to get the lead,” he said of the Affirmed. “Two turns is going to help stretch the horse.”
Bentornato earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 91 in the Affirmed. It’s the best number put up by a 2-year-old this season at Gulfstream.
“He came back so, so good after the last race,” D’Angelo said. “Everything is in good order with him.”
Florida-bred juveniles face off
Gulfstream has a pair of maiden special weight races for 2-year-olds bred in Florida on Sunday.
The fourth race drew Cant Stop Dreaming, who is a half-sister to Capture Your Dream, a winner of the Desert Vixen division of the Florida Sire Stakes.
The field for the ninth race includes Themanupfront, a half-brother to multiple stakes winner Cajun Casanova, and Papalote, who is out of the Grade 1-winning millionaire La Tia.
◗ In race 8, Danzig Chips will start as a top contender in a first-level allowance for Florida-bred 3-year-olds and up over six furlongs. He was second at this distance and level last out.
Jose Morelos has the mount for GoldMark Farm and trainer Jena Antonucci.
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