Green Gratto Speeds Away in Gravesend Stakes

Green Gratto closed the 2015 season on a high note.

One month after securing the first stakes win of his career in the Fall Highweight Handicap (gr. III) at Aqueduct Racetrack, Gaston and Anthony Grant's Green Gratto opened a seven-length lead turning for home and was never threatened in the stretch in the $100,000 Gravesend Stakes Dec. 26 at Aqueduct.

Green Gratto's victory spoiled the final start of two-time grade I winner Palace  , the even-money favorite Saturday who rallied to finish second but never threatened the winner. Antonino Miuccio's Palace is scheduled to arrive at Spendthrift Farm by Jan. 1 to begin his stallion career.

"He seems to be getting better as he gets older," said co-owner and trainer Gaston Grant. "We were going to give him a break after the Fall Highweight, but he was kicking down his stall. We had to run him. He's amazingly consistent; he carries the whole barn on his shoulders. He and Kendrick get along great. He seems to flourish under him."

Hustled early by jockey Kendrick Carmouche, Green Gratto opened a five-length advantage through a half-mile in :45 flat. Palace was 8 1/2 lengths back in fourth at that point and rallied, but would settle for a runner-up finish, 5 3/4 lengths behind the winner. Green Gratto completed the six-furlong test for 3-year-olds and older in 1:09.89.

"He just does everything right, every time I've ridden him," Carmouche said. "I have to give all the credit to his owners and trainer. I'm just the passenger along for the ride."

Green Gratto returned $10.20 to win, $3.80 to place, and $2.70 to show. Palace paid $2.60 and $2.10, and Alex the Terror, the longest shot in the field of five at 8-1, delivered $4 to show.