Grand Mo the First Deemed 'Ready' for Kentucky Derby

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Grand Mo the First Deemed 'Ready' for Kentucky Derby
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Photo: Skip Dickstein
Grand Mo The first trains last fall at Santa Anita Park

Granpollo Stable's Grand Mo the First  breezed six furlongs at Gulfstream Park April 23 in preparation for a start in the May 4 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs.

The Victor Barboza Jr.-trained son of Uncle Mo  , who finished a distant third behind early Kentucky Derby favorite Fierceness  in the March 30 Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream, was timed in 1:16.48 under jockey Emisael Jaramillo before galloping 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 scheduled to travel to Churchill Downs April 25.

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"The horse will go to Kentucky Thursday in the night and will get there early in the morning," Barboza said.

Grand Mo the First earned his way into the 20-horse Kentucky Derby field with his third Florida Derby (G1) and a third in the March 9 Tampa Bay Derby (G3), in which he was just a neck behind winner Domestic Product.

Also breezing Tuesday at Gulfstream Park was Stonehedge's Fiona's Magic , who is pointed to the May 3 Kentucky Oaks (G1)

The Michael Yates-trained Fiona's Magic, winner of the Davona Dale Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream, most recently finished eighth in the March 30 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2). An endoscopic examination of her after the race showed mucus in her lungs.