Grand Mo the First enters sprint with big future plans

Grand Mo the First could develop into a candidate for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, but the first order of business is Friday’s sixth race at Gulfstream Park. He comes into the entry-level allowance on Tapeta looking to build off a promising debut win on the surface in August.

The card Friday ushers in the start of the Sunshine meet at Gulfstream. The Rainbow 6 jackpot will have a minimum guaranteed pool of $75,000.

Friday’s feature will be run over 5 1/2 furlongs and it carries an optional claiming price of $75,000. It drew a field of six, including Big Effect, who is returning to the overnight ranks after running eighth in the Proud Man, and Okiro, a wire-to-wire debut winner on Tapeta.

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Grand Mo the First debuted Aug. 6 and after breaking next to last from the rail rallied for a 2 1/4-length win in a maiden special weight at Gulfstream. He covered five furlongs in a sharp 57.95 seconds, and the Beyer Speed Figure of 67 that he earned is the best number in the field Friday.

“He’s a very good horse,” trainer Victor Barboza Jr. said. “When we ran him the first time, he was only 75 percent in the condition. I think Friday, the horse is much [fitter]. He also has a much better position, the No. 3.”

Since his debut, Grand Mo the First’s works include a half-mile on Tapeta in 48 seconds on Aug. 25.

Barboza said Grand Mo the First is a horse who could come under consideration for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint in November at Santa Anita. He noted pedigree is a factor. Grand Mo the First is by Uncle Mo, who is getting 15 percent winners on turf. Lilies So Fair, the dam of Grand Mo the First, is a winner on turf who has produced a turf winner. She’s a half-sister to Florida Derby winner Materiality.

“The pedigree is very high for the turf,” Barboza said. “We want to try him on turf in the future.”

At present, there is no turf racing at Gulfstream.

Emisael Jaramillo has the mount on Grand Mo the First on Friday for Granpollo Stable.

Big Effect is making his first start on Tapeta after winning his maiden on dirt by more than six lengths July 22. In his career debut July 1, he was second by a neck to Bentornato, who returned to win the Proud Man.

One turn for ‘Toddy’

Barboza said he is inclined to keep Long Range Toddy racing around one turn following his victory in the $65,000 Edwin T. Broome at a mile last Saturday at Gulfstream Park. It was the horse’s second straight win for his new barn, following an allowance victory over seven furlongs July 16.

“I prefer one turn, prefer a mile at Gulfstream,” Barboza said.

“After the allowance, he’s a more confident horse now. Jaramillo is a very good rider for the horse.”

Barboza said plans for Long Range Toddy will be discussed next week with Zenith Racing. He said he does not expect the horse will run back until October or November. For the Broome win, Long Range Toddy earned a Beyer of 92.

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