Grand Mo the First to make turf debut in Zuma Beach

The unbeaten Grand Mo the First will travel from his Gulfstream Park base to Santa Anita in a few weeks to audition for a potential start in the Grade 1, $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.

Trainer Victor Barboza Jr. said Tuesday that Grand Mo the First is scheduled to make his next start in the Grade 3, $200,000 Zuma Beach Stakes on Oct. 8 at Santa Anita. A good performance in the one-mile turf race for 2-year-olds could set him up for a Breeders’ Cup start on Nov. 3.

“It’s possible he could stay at Santa Anita,” Barboza said of running back in the Breeders’ Cup.

Barboza said it will depend on how Grand Mo the First does in the Zuma Beach. The race will mark both the two-turn and turf debut for the son of Uncle Mo.

Barboza long has wanted turf for Grand Mo the First based on his pedigree. He noted the horse’s dam, Lilies So Fair, is by Giant’s Causeway and that she’s a half-sister to My Miss Sofia, a Grade 2 winner on dirt who was Grade 1-placed on turf. Barboza has not had the opportunity to test Grand Mo the First on grass because renovations to the turf course are being made at Gulfstream.

“The Giant’s Causeway breeding is much better for the turf,” Barboza said.

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Grand Mo the First has raced exclusively on Tapeta at home at Gulfstream. The horse was a debut winner of a maiden special weight at five furlongs on Aug. 6. Grand Mo the First returned to take an entry-level allowance over 5 1/2 furlongs with a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 79. The start came on Sept. 1.

Barboza said he has two works planned for Grand Mo the First at Gulfstream before the horse flies to Santa Anita. The final move is penciled in for Sept. 29, and if the horse bounces out of the work well, the flight is scheduled for Oct. 1.

Grand Mo the First would be the first Santa Anita starter for Barboza, a native of Venezuela who is based at Gulfstream. He’s won training titles in both Venezuela and at Gulfstream.

Barboza trains Grand Mo the First for Granpollo Stable. The owner and trainer team have first-time starter Grand Tower in Friday’s sixth race at Gulfstream. The 2-year-old is by Take Charge Indy.

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