Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Grande

Apr 24, 2025 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

Grande wins at Gulfstream Park. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

Repole Stable’s Grande has compiled 50 points on the 2025 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series to punch his ticket to Louisville on May 3. The Todd Pletcher trainee was last seen coming home a clear second while wide throughout in the $750,000 Wood Memorial S. (G2) at Aqueduct on April 5.

Grande commenced his career on Jan. 11 at Gulfstream Park and was victorious in a one-mile maiden special weight tilt. On Feb. 27, the sophomore toppled allowance foes in South Florida in a 1 1/8-mile contest on the main surface to make it two straight wins to kickstart his career. His lifetime line reads 3-2-1-0, $228,200.

The dark bay son of Curlin was bred in Kentucky by Katierich Farms and brought the gavel down at $300,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He was produced from the Grade-3 winning War Front mare Journey Home, who captured the 2016 Jimmy Durante S. (G3) at Del Mar. Grande was preceded in stakes glory by his half-sister Ticker Tape Home, who eclipsed the 2024 Seaway S. (G3) at Woodbine. This is the same female line as Nadal, who captured a division of the 2020 Arkansas Derby (G1).

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Grande has registered Brisnet Speed figures of 88-87-101 from a trio of performances to date, with his best number coming in his graded stakes debut. The colt is bred to run all day on his dam’s side, and being by Curlin, classic distances also seem well suited for the improving three-year-old. John Velazquez, a three-time winner in the Run for the Roses, will guide the sophomore at Churchill Downs.