Grand Mo the First caps big day for trainer, jockey with Bear's Den triumph

Grand Mo the First made his first start since the Kentucky Derby on turf Saturday at Gulfstream Park and closed into a sizzling pace to win the $95,000 Bear’s Den.

He completed a sweep of the card’s two stakes for his trainer, Victor Barboza Jr., and jockey, Emisael Jaramillo. Earlier on the card, the men teamed to win the $95,000 Miss Gracie with Majestic Venezuela.

Grand Mo the First ($3.20) settled in fourth along the rail as Prevent and Baytown Parfait dueled through fractions of 23.10 for the opening quarter, 45.09 for the half-mile and 1:08.63 for six furlongs in the mile turf race run on ground rated “good.” Grand Mo the First advanced on the final turn, found racing room into the stretch, and went on to cover the distance in a blazing 1:33.14.

Grand Mo the First won by a neck over Brawn, while it was another 3 3/4 lengths back in third to Prevent.

It was the first stakes win for Grand Mo the First, who ran third in the Swale, Tampa Bay Derby and Florida Derby this spring before finishing 18th in the Kentucky Derby.

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Barboza moved the horse back to turf based on his effort in his lone start on the surface, which was a third-place finish in last year’s Grade 3 Zuma Beach at Santa Anita.

Grand Mo the First is a son of Uncle Mo who races for Granpollo Stables.

Grand Mo the First began his career last year at Gulfstream with back-to-back sprint wins on Tapeta. The son of Uncle Mo has now won 3 of 8 starts for earnings of $259,200.

Majestic Venezuela ($4.40) swept to a 1 1/4-length win over Candy Gray in the Miss Gracie, which was for 3-year-old fillies at a mile on turf. It was another half-length back in third to Mojave Desert.

Majestic Venezuela settled in third behind fractions of 24.08 for the opening quarter, 47.68 for the half-mile and 1:10.87 for six furlongs. She went on to cover the distance on “good” turf in 1:34.12.

Majestic Venezuela is a daughter of Mendelssohn who races for her breeder, Orlyana Farm. She has now won 3 of 8 starts for earnings of $148,400.

Racing resumes Sunday.

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