Grande Back To Winning Ways In Thrilling Gulfstream Duel

GRANDE (c, 4, Curlin–Journey Home {GSW, $225,997}, by War Front), unraced since a runner-up finish in last year's GII Wood Memorial in April and since the subject of a controversial day-before scratch in the GI Kentucky Derby, returned to the races Saturday for trainer Todd Pletcher and owner Mike Repole.

Tabbed the 7-5 favorite racing with the addition of blinkers, Grande would have to deal with fellow comebacker Praetor (Into Mischief), himself unraced since a third in April's GIII Lexington Stakes for Chad Brown. Both drawn outside, the favorite opted to hit the front and was allowed to lead through easy fractions of :24.14 and :47.05.

The real running began into the far turn as Praetor swung first, making an outside move to get on even terms with the leader, leaving the rest of the field in their wake and only X Y Prime (Vekoma) in the same zip code. Grande hit back at the quarter pole but Praetor was driving past him into the final furlong and the favorite looked beaten coming into the final sixteenth.

But in a gutsy final effort, Grande surged back along the inside, finishing with a flourish to deny Praetor by three-quarters of a length in a thrilling conclusion. It was another 14 1/2 lengths back to X Y Prime.

KatieRich Farms purchased Journey Home, with Grande in utero, for $650,000 at Keeneland November in 2021. The mare, herself a daughter of MGISP Soul Search (A.P. Indy), had already produced Ticker Tape Home (Medaglia d'Oro), GSW, $361,803. While she has failed to produce a live foal since Grande in 2022, JourneyHome is due this season to Oscar Performance.

Grande and @RajivMaragh battle back to deliver in race 7 for @PletcherRacing and @RepoleStable. #GulfstreamPark #ChampionshipMeet pic.twitter.com/1b61kKOh9Z

— Gulfstream Park (@GulfstreamPark) February 14, 2026

7th-Gulfstream, $71,000, Alw (C)/Opt. Clm ($62,500), 2-14, 4yo/up, 1m, 1:36.13, ft, 3/4 length.
GRANDE (c, 4, Curlin–Journey Home {GSW, $225,997}, by War Front)
Sales History: $300,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 4-3-1-0, $270,800. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Repole Stable; B-KatieRich Farms (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher.