Grande's speed powers him to Ghostzapper triumph
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HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Grande made it 2 for 2 since he was scratched from last year’s Kentucky Derby when he scored a front-running, three-quarter-length victory in Saturday’s $150,000 Ghostzapper Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
Taking advantage of his speed in a race that didn’t have any, Grande was put on the lead by John Velazquez, got away with a half-mile in 49.42 seconds and six furlongs in 1:13.56 and held off a challenge from Capital Idea to gain his first career stakes victory. Capital Idea finished 7 3/4 lengths clear of third-place finisher Racing Driver.
Lightning Tones finished fourth, followed by Cadet Corps, Steal Sunshine and Freedom Principle. Forged Steel and Timeout were scratched.
Velazquez said when looking at the race on paper, he didn’t see any other speed.
“I told [trainer Todd Pletcher] whether we want it or not we’re going to inherit the lead, there was no pace unless somebody comes out crazy,” Velazquez said. “I wanted to make sure I break forward, but I don’t want to be in his mouth.”
Grande was scratched from last year’s Kentucky Derby due to a foot bruise. Other issues came and he was sidelined for the remainder of the year. Grande came off the bench on February 14 besting Praetor, who had passed him in the stretch. Saturday’s victory, though by less than a length, was accomplished much easier.
“Thought he ran the way he was supposed to,” Pletcher said. “There wasn’t a whole lot of pace in there, just kind of got things his way, which we were happy to take. It seemed like he was just kind of waiting on company a little bit, [when] the other horse came to him he found a little more, so I thought it was a good solid effort.”
In improving his record to 4-1-0 from five starts, Grande, owned by Mike Repole, covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.26 (98 Beyer Speed Figure) and returned $2.20 as the heavy favorite.
Pletcher was noncommittal where Grande would run next. He and Repole have both Grande and Disruptor, winner of the Grade 3 Challenger Stakes at Tampa last time out. Pletcher said he would keep Grande around two turns and one potential spot for which Grande could be considered is the Grade 2, $750,000 Alysheba Stakes going 1 1/16 miles at Churchill Downs on May 1, while Disruptor could cut back to seven furlongs in the Grade 1, $1 million Churchill Downs on May 2.
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