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| Sumita Pawar |
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In anticipation of the Gr.1 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on 4th May, Grand Mo the First from Granpollo Stable ran a six-furlong breeze at Gulfstream Park on 23rd April.
Grand Mo the First, trained by Victor Barboza Jr. and sired by Uncle Mo, recently ran a six-furlong breeze at Gulfstream Park. The colt finished third in the Gr.1 Florida Derby on 30th March, behind the favorite for the Kentucky Derby, Fierceness. During the breeze, which was timed at 1:16.48, jockey Emisael Jaramillo rode Grand Mo the First before the colt galloped out a mile.
"The six-furlong workout this morning, I really liked it," Barboza said. "It was a good work for the horse. He came back to the barn very fresh. He's ready for the move to Churchill."
Grand Mo the First is set to journey to Churchill Downs on 25th April.
"The horse will go to Kentucky Thursday in the night and will get there early in the morning," Barboza said.
Grand Mo the First secured a spot in the 20-horse Kentucky Derby field with his impressive third-place finish in the Gr.1 Florida Derby and a close third in the Gr.3 Tampa Bay Derby on 9th March, where he finished just a neck behind winner Domestic Product.
In addition, Stonehedge's Fiona's Magic was also seen breezing at Gulfstream Park on Tuesday, with her sights set on the 3rd May Gr.1 Kentucky Oaks. Trained by Michael Yates, Fiona's Magic won the Gr.2 Davona Dale Stakes at Gulfstream, but struggled to an eighth-place finish in the Gr.2 Gulfstream Park Oaks on 30th March. Following the race, an endoscopic examination revealed mucus in her lungs.
With the Gr.1 Kentucky Derby and Gr.1 Kentucky Oaks approaching, the focus is now shifting to older horses as the younger ones take a breather. Over the weekend, attention was drawn to two former classic contenders, Kingsbarns and Skippylongstocking, as they showcased their abilities in notable races.
Kingsbarns, a horse with limited prior racing experience, made his mark last year with impressive victories in his first three starts at the age of 3.
He won races at Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs before triumphing in the Gr.2 Louisiana Derby, where he led from start to finish. Although he didn't fare well in the Kentucky Derby, finishing 14th, he put up a strong fight in subsequent races, narrowly missing victory in the Pegasus Stakes.
After a break, Kingsbarns returned to the track in March this year, winning a race at Gulfstream Park despite the long layoff. In his latest outing at the Gr.3 Ben Ali Stakes at Keeneland, he delivered a commanding performance, winning by over three lengths and achieving a career-best Equibase Speed Figure of 108. Kingsbarns is a descendant of Uncle Mo, a prolific sire known for producing quality racehorses.
Skippylongstocking, a year older than Kingsbarns, didn't participate in the Kentucky Derby but made his presence felt in other prestigious races.
Despite finishing third in the Gr.2 Wood Memorial Stakes, he showcased his talent in subsequent Triple Crown races, securing fifth place in the Gr.1 Preakness Stakes and third in the Gr.1 Belmont Stakes. Throughout his classic season, Skippylongstocking added wins in the Gr.3 West Virginia Derby and Gr.3 Harlan's Holiday Stakes. Last year, he continued to excel, winning the Gr.3 Challenger Stakes and the Gr.2 Charles Town Classic.
Although he faced setbacks earlier this year, including a withdrawal from the Gr.1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational, he bounced back with a convincing win in the Gr.3 Challenger Stakes in March. In his most recent victory at the Gr.2 Oaklawn Handicap, Skippylongstocking demonstrated his prowess by establishing a personal-best Equibase Speed Figure of 114. Skippylongstocking is from the second crop of Exaggerator, a stallion known for producing successful racehorses.
Both Kingsbarns and Skippylongstocking have impressive pedigrees, with notable ancestors contributing to their racing lineage. Kingsbarns traces his lineage back to Shapiro's Mistress, a half-sister to Brocco, a renowned racehorse. Skippylongstocking's lineage includes notable names like Deputy Minister and Vice Regent, further enhancing his racing pedigree.
In conclusion, Kingsbarns and Skippylongstocking have emerged as formidable contenders in the racing world, with their recent performances solidifying their positions as top-class racehorses. As the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks draw near, these two horses are ones to watch as they continue to climb the ranks in their respective divisions.