Grande, Praetor come back strong after extended layoffs
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HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The handicap division got a little stronger Saturday as a result of the performances by Grande and Praetor in a one-mile allowance at Gulfstream Park.
Both 4-year-olds had been sidelined since April. They finished first and second, with Grande winning by three-quarters of a length. The pair earned Beyer Speed Figures of 105 and 103. They did so despite completing the final furlong of the race down near the rail in what has been the deepest part of the racetrack.
Grande is trained by Todd Pletcher. Praetor is conditioned by Chad Brown.
Grande was making his first start since finishing second to Rodriguez in the Wood Memorial. He was subsequently scratched by state veterinarians one day prior to the Kentucky Derby.
Grande, who began his career with two consecutive victories at Gulfstream Park, turned in a very game performance in his return under jockey Rajiv Maragh, reasserting himself after being passed by Praetor in early stretch.
“At the sixteenth pole, I thought he’s run a great race, he’s come back well, good effort, and he was going to be second,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “And he was down in there near the rail where seemingly you don’t want to be.”
Pletcher said he’d play it by ear regarding Grande’s next start but did mention the Grade 3 Ghostzapper going 1 1/16 miles on March 28 as a possible option.
Pletcher has a candidate for the Fountain of Youth, the undefeated Jackson Hole who returns locally after winning a first-level allowance race by 5 1/4 lengths on Jan. 17 at Fair Grounds. Jackson Hole worked five furlongs in 1:01.20 last Friday at Palm Beach Downs.
Pletcher said he decided to run Jackson Hole in the Fountain of Youth rather than continue along the Fair Grounds path to the Derby primarily to avoid having to ship him back to New Orleans again.
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