Grand Bili earns first stakes in Carry Back

Grand Bili notched his first stakes victory when turning back the favored Barbados in the Grade 3, $150,000 Carry Back Stakes on the Summit of Speed program Sunday at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla.

With Javier Castellano keeping the gray colt near a fast pace, Grand Bili put away Bluegrass Singer before being put to a steady drive in prevailing by three-quarters of a length over Barbados. Juan and Bina rallied to be third in a field of 10 3-year-olds.

Grand Bili, based at nearby Gulfstream Park West with trainer Gustavo Delgado, paid $12.20 after finishing seven furlongs in 1:22.11 over a fast track. It was the second overall win in the fifth career start for the son of City Zip.

As well as Grand Bili ran, the big picture might even be brighter for Barbados, who was making his first start in more than five months after having been sidelined for knee surgery. Sent away the 6-5 choice, he closed stoutly from mid-pack, only to have his bid stall in the final stages. The colt won the Spectacular Bid and Hutcheson at Gulfstream before being laid up.

The $2 exacta (7-8) paid $28.20, the $1 trifecta (7-8-1) returned $148.70, and the 10-cent superfecta (7-8-1-4) was worth $163.95.