Grand Contender could return from freshening to defend Delta Mile title

Grand Contender, who swept both graded races run this past meet at Lone Star Park, has resumed training following a freshening and could return to action this fall at Delta Downs, according to trainer Tom Amoss. Grand Contender captured the Grade 3, $200,000 Texas Mile and the Grade 3, $200,000 Lone Star Park Handicap in succession, invading from his Churchill Downs base in Kentucky.

“Grand Contender just started back,” said Amoss, who trains the horse for Maggi Moss. “We gave him a little break. He traveled twice to Lone Star, once to Evangeline, once to Iowa, and he just needed a break.”

Amoss said Grand Contender could return to action in the Delta Mile, a Nov. 22 race that has had its purse boosted from $150,000 to $250,000. The race would be his first since finishing fourth in the $73,500 Prairie Meadows Handicap on July 26.

“I think it’s safe to say the Delta Mile, which he won last year, would be a good race in terms of timing,” said Amoss.

Grand Contender set a track record when he rolled to a 3 1/4-length win in last season’s Delta Mile, covering the distance in 1:36.89. For the effort, he earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 102.

The Delta Mile is one of eight stakes on the annual Jackpot Day card at Delta. Grand Contender is a 6-year-old Strong Contender gelding who has won 8 of 24 starts and $555,610.