Granpollo Stable’s talented colt Grand Mo the First is set to return to familiar territory as he lines up for the $75,000 Soldier’s Dancer Stakes this Saturday at Gulfstream Park. The four-year-old, who has already showcased his ability across turf, dirt, and Tapeta, will contest the one-mile and 70-yard race on the all-weather surface, marking his first Tapeta start since his early career victories.
Trained by Victor Barboza Jr., Grand Mo the First was initially being aimed at the Grade 3 Kelso at Saratoga. However, connections opted to keep the son of Uncle Mo in South Florida, banking on his perfect Tapeta record at Gulfstream to deliver another strong performance. The colt began his career with back-to-back wins on Tapeta in 2023 and looks ready to capitalize on that proven surface preference.
Barboza is confident that the decision to stay local is the right one, especially with the horse now reaching peak fitness. After an eight-month break, Grand Mo the First returned to action on May 24 in an optional claimer over 7½ furlongs on turf, finishing a close second in a thrilling three-way photo. Barboza believes that race served as the perfect prep and feels his colt has sharpened significantly since.
Over the past year, Grand Mo the First has built an impressive résumé. Following a solid two-year-old season that included a third-place finish in the Grade 3 Zuma Beach at Santa Anita, he stepped onto the national stage with commendable efforts in top-level dirt races like the Florida Derby and Tampa Bay Derby. Those performances secured him a place in the 2024 Kentucky Derby, an experience Barboza describes as invaluable for both horse and connections.
After the Derby, the colt bounced back to win the Bear’s Den Stakes at Gulfstream and delivered a runner-up finish in the Virginia Derby. Notably, his last three outings have all been narrow defeats decided by less than a neck, underlining his competitive edge.
Grand Mo the First is the 9-5 morning-line favorite for the Soldier’s Dancer and will break from the rail under regular rider Miguel Vasquez. His versatility across all three surfaces makes him a key contender, with Barboza noting that while turf remains his strongest suit, Tapeta offers a near-identical test.
Among his challengers is Relampago Verde, making just his second start for new trainer Bobby Dibona following a $140,000 purchase at Keeneland. Though his debut for new connections saw him settle for third, Dibona is optimistic that improved race tactics and a recent Tapeta workout will have him sharper this time. Veteran jockey Emisael Jaramillo takes over in the saddle.
Also in the mix is Just a Photo, who comes into the race off a runner-up finish in the Mr. Steele Stakes, and Tocayo, another Gulfstream turf stakes winner aiming to build on a narrow third-place finish behind Grand Mo the First last month.
The Soldier’s Dancer Stakes headlines a competitive 11-race program that also features the $75,000 Smile Sprint, promising an action-packed afternoon at Gulfstream Park.
