8th-Gulfstream, $78,540, Alw (NW1$X)/Opt. Clm ($75,000), 2-27, 3yo, 1 1/8m, 1:50.16, ft, 2 1/2 lengths.
GRANDE (c, 3, Curlin–Journey Home {GSW, $225,997}, by War Front) put in a promising debut performance going an eighth of a mile shorter to take a win first-time out at odds of 9-1 Jan. 11. Now favored at even-money facing winners for the first time, the Triple Crown-nominated colt sat poised in second just off pacesetter Jimmy's Dailys (Vekoma) who spurted to the front from the rail. Tracking that runner past the half in :47.61, Grande began to assert himself off the far turn and quickly put 2 1/2 lengths on the early leader, holding that advantage while ridden out to the line. It was the second win on the afternoon at Gulfstream for Todd Pletcher and Repole Stables who also scored with Edgy (Arrogate) in race four. Journey Home, who sold for $650,000 in foal to Curlin at KEENOV in 2021, has already produced Ticker Tape Home (Medaglia d'Oro), GSW, $273,916 and now has two winners from three to race. This is the family of GI Arkansas Derby winner and Japanese sire Nadal (Blame). Journey Home visited both Into Mischief and Tapit for this season. Sales History: $300,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $88,200. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Repole Stable; B-KatieRich Farms (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher.
#5 GRANDE ($4.20) and John Velazquez (@ljlmvel) impress in Race 8 at @GulfstreamPark nabbing another victory for the team of @PletcherRacing and @RepoleStable.
Our on-site coverage from Gulfstream continues on @FanDuelTV, presented by @ClaiborneFarm. pic.twitter.com/nvKgwLWzSF
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 27, 2025
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