Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Grand Mo the First

Apr 17, 2024 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

Granpollo Stable’s Grand Mo the First ranks 21st on the 2024 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series leaderboard with 40 qualifying points. Trained by Victor Barboza, the dark bay checked in third in the Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park on April 6 in his latest endeavor.

Grand Mo the First captured the first pair of races in his career on the all-weather surface at Gulfstream Park. The son of Uncle Mo was a 2 1/4-length winner of a 5 1/2-furlong dash on Aug. 6, and followed up that performance with an allowance score at the same distance. In his juvenile finale, the colt was third in the grassy Zuma Beach S. (G3) at Santa Anita on Oct. 8.

Third in the Swale S. at Gulfstream to kick off 2024, he preceded his Florida Derby effort with a smart third-place result in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) on March 9. His career line currently reads 6-2-0-4, $214,650.

Domestic Product picked up 50 #KentuckyDerby points in yesterday's Tampa Bay Derby! 🌹 @GallantFox1930 has a recap of the race. ⤵️ @KentuckyDerby https://t.co/RMUBOxN1rS

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) March 10, 2024

Grand Mo the First was bred in the Bluegrass State by John Gunther and passed through the auction ring on a trio of occasions. He was a $125,000 RNA at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, prior to being purchased for $135,000 at Fasig-Tipton October. The colt was then a $335,000 RNA at the 2023 OBS March Sale in his latest public offering.

He is the second black-type performer out of the winning Giant’s Causeway mare Lilies So Fair, who counts herself as a half-sister to 2015 Florida Derby (G1) winner Materiality, as well as 2014 Kentucky Oaks (G1) runner-up My Miss Sophia.

Grand Mo the First has registered Brisnet Speed figures of 87-84-88 from his three dirt outings in 2024. He has been consistently solid in his career and his catalog page suggests that he might be capable of handling 10 furlongs, but he would need a massive move forward in order to make an impact in the Run for the Roses. Emisael Jaramillo will be in the silks for the Kentucky Derby.