By Jill Williams
She wasn't 100-1 this time and it's doubtful she ever will be again. NBS Stable's Ground Support (f, 2, Army Mule–Arch Support, by Arch), fresh off a 100-1 debut win going a mile at Kentucky Downs Aug. 30, secured her berth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf with a 'Win and You're In' victory in Saturday's GII Miss Grillo Stakes at Belmont at the Big A.
“I don't know why they didn't like her at Kentucky Downs,” said trainer Kelsey Danner with a laugh. “She does everything right, she breezes nice, and is a big, pretty filly with a nice pedigree.”
A mere 12-1 Saturday, Ground Support rushed up early and appeared rank under Adam Beschizza the moment she got to the lead. As she tossed both her head and tail under Beschizza's tight hold, she ticked off the first quarter in :23.17, then looked to settle once she had the lead all to herself and proceeded to slow down the tempo with a half in :48.65. The field fanned out behind her and the dark bay, comfortable in front and clearly in charge, shrugged off a challenge from Believe in Magic (Not This Time) on the final turn. While it took a few strides for Ground Support to swap to her correct lead in the lane, she never relented and kicked clear, taking them all the way in 1:43.32 for the 1 1/16 miles.
Deep Learning (Cairo Prince), a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' and a sharp maiden Saratoga winner, finished two lengths behind Ground Support in second, while Untapable Stakes winner Quiet Street (Street Boss) was third.
“She ran great,” said Danner of her charge. “I kind of didn't expect her quite on the lead, but no one really went, so Adam [Beschizza] kind of had to go–she was keen early. She looked like she did it fairly easily.
“I thought she was a two-turn horse the whole time. Obviously at Kentucky Downs, it's a one-turn mile, but I didn't think distance was an issue. She was breezing really nice.”
An $80,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-year-old just a few months ago, Ground Support was bought by NBS Stables and John Ballantyne. Ballantyne operates NBS with partners Art Neuhedel and Daryl Shaw.
Danner, who won the third graded race of her career in the Miss Grillo, indicated the Breeders' Cup would be the team's next target.
“I told [Beschizza] yesterday when he was breezing horses for me at Churchill, 'Don't forget, I really want to go to Del Mar.' It will be fun and I think she should handle everything well. She's been really straightforward.”
Pedigree Notes:
Hill 'n' Dale's Army Mule, unbeaten in three career starts, including in the GI Carter Handicap at Aqueduct, is the sire of Ground Support and 19 more black-type winners in his four crops to race. His fourth graded winner, Ground Support is bred just like millionaire and GSW Danse Macabre, who is by Army Mule and out of a Blame mare. Ground Support's dam is by Arch, Blame's sire, whose 93 stakes winners out of his daughters include champions I'll Have Another and Uncle Mo. Ground Support marks Army Mule's second New York graded winner, joining 2023 GI H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes victor One in Vermillion.
Champion Equine bred Ground Support in Florida after buying her dam, Arch Support, for $40,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale in 2021. Arch Support herself was second in the Miss Grillo in 2010. She hasn't produced a foal since Ground Support, but has been bred to Verifying for 2026.
GROUND SUPPORT upsets the G2 Miss Grillo at 12-1 under @ABeschizza for trainer @kelseyjdanner. Ticket punched to the @BreedersCup Juvenile Fillies Turf! pic.twitter.com/oK58jkIyJv
— NYRA (🌳) (@TheNYRA) October 4, 2025
Saturday, Belmont Big A
MISS GRILLO S.-GII, $200,000, Belmont The Big A, 10-4, 2yo, f, 1 1/16mT, 1:43.32, fm.
1–GROUND SUPPORT, 120, f, 2, by Army Mule
1st Dam: Arch Support (GSP, $159,835), by Arch
2nd Dam: Two Ninety Jones, by Sir Harry Lewis
3rd Dam: Caromist, by Caro (Ire)
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($90,000 RNA 2yo '25 OBSMAR; $80,000 2yo '25 EASMAY). O-NBS Stable; B-Champion Equine, LLC (FL); T-Kelsey Danner; J-Adam Beschizza. $110,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $164,000. Werk Nick Rating: B+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Deep Learning, 120, f, 2, Cairo Prince–Dovima, by Union Rags. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($27,000 RNA Ylg '24 KEESEP; $325,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR). O-Klaravich Stables, Inc.; B-Tony Dardis, Dell Ridge Farm, Ken Donworth & Desmond Ryan (KY); T-Chad C. Brown. $40,000.
3–Quiet Street, 122, f, 2, Street Boss–Serene, by Tapit. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-William I. Mott. $24,000.
Margins: 2, HF, NK. Odds: 12.43, 2.40, 2.71.
Also Ran: Fille d'Oro (Ire), Believe in Magic, Cara's Dreamchaser, Dyna, Day to Day, Boomington, Miss Picky, El Barrio. Scratched: Caradise, Miss Call, Rose Room.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
