Grand Mo the First captures Bear's Den win

Making his first start since finishing off the board in the May 4 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs, Granpollo Stable’s Grand Mo the First made a triumphant return on turf in Saturday’s $95,000 Bear’s Den.

Achieving his first stakes victory, the multiple graded stakes-placed son of Uncle Mo completed a sweep of Saturday’s co-features for trainer Victor Barboza Jr. and jockey Emisael Jaramillo, who earlier secured a win in the $95,000 Miss Gracie with Majestic Venezuela.

Grand Mo the First had to earn Saturday’s victory in the mile stakes for 3-year-olds on turf. Positioned well off a hotly contested pace set by Prevent and Baytown Parfait, who dueled past fractions of 23.10 and 45.09 seconds for the first half mile, Grand Mo the First saved ground on the rail into the far turn. As the pacesetters’ lead began to fade after completing six furlongs in a sharp 1:08.63, the Barboza trainee advanced along the rail before moving to the outside for the stretch run. The 3-5 favorite surged powerfully but had to withstand a strong outside drive by Brawn to secure a hard-fought victory by a neck in a swift 1:33.14.

“I really liked the horse on the turf. Saving ground with those two horses ahead of him helped a lot. He ran a very good race,” Barboza said.

Grand Mo the First competed on turf once last year, finishing third in the Zuma Beach (G3) at Santa Anita after winning his initial two career starts on Gulfstream’s Tapeta Course. He secured his spot in the Derby field with third-place finishes in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and the Curlin Florida Derby (G1).

“I think he will run on turf for now on,” said Barboza, who said Grand Mo the First is likely to make his next start during the Kentucky Downs meeting.

Brawn finished 3 ¾ lengths ahead of Prevent, who secured third place.

Orlyana Farm’s Majestic Venezuela had a more straightforward journey to the winner’s circle.

The 6-5 favorite stayed close behind pacesetter Mojave Desert through half-mile fractions of 24.01 and 47.68 seconds. As they turned for home, Jaramillo guided the Kentucky-bred filly to the outside of Mojave Desert and pace-presser Candy Gray. Majestic Venezuela surged ahead to win by 1 ¼ lengths.

This victory marked Majestic Venezuela's second consecutive win on turf and her first stakes win in the mile turf stakes for 3-year-old fillies. She is a half-sister to Venezuelan Hug, who ended his career with three straight turf stakes wins, including the 2021 Canadian Turf (G3) at Gulfstream.

Majestic Venezuela had placed second or third in her first four starts on Tapeta before winning on the all-weather surface on April 7. She followed that with a debut turf win six weeks later and finished second in the Martha Washington on Tapeta in her subsequent race.

Majestic Venezuela completed the mile in 1:34.12. Candy Gray edged out her stablemate Mojave Desert, trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., by a half-length to take second place.