Grande

Connections

Owner: Repole Stable
Breeders: Katierich Farms
Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher
Jockey: Dylan Davis

Grande: 2025 Kentucky Derby Contender Profile

Grande, a 3-year-old colt by Curlin out of Journey Home, heads into the 2025 Kentucky Derby with a strong second in the Wood Memorial (G2) (1:48.08 over 1 1/8 miles), earning 40 Derby points. With 90 total points, he’s secured his spot in the starting gate. Featuring a pedigree with Smart Strike and War Front, lightly raced Grande aims for victory in his fourth career start on May 3, 2025, at Churchill Downs.

Pedigree

Grande
├── Sire: Curlin
│   ├── Sire: Smart Strike
│   └── Dam: Sherriff’s Deputy (by Deputy Minister)
└── Dam: Journey Home
    ├── Sire: War Front
    └── Dam: Soul Search (by A.P. Indy)

1st Generation Pedigree

• Sire: Curlin
  Curlin, a son of Smart Strike, is a two-time Horse of the Year (2007, 2008), winning the Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes, and Breeders’ Cup Classic, earning over $10.5 million. A leading sire, Curlin has produced top runners like 2023 Belmont Stakes winner Arcangelo and expected 2025 Derby favorite Journalism. His progeny often excel at classic distances, with a blend of stamina and tactical speed, as seen in Grande’s Wood Memorial performance.
• Dam: Journey Home
  Journey Home, by War Front, was a graded stakes-placed mare who earned $225,000, finishing in the top two in 6 of her 10 career starts, and was second in the 2017 Jimmy Durante Stakes (G3) on turf. She’s produced Grande, her most notable foal, who has earned $228,200 with a record of 2-1-0 from three starts. Journey Home was bred in Kentucky, and Grande sold for $1 million as a yearling at the 2023 Keeneland September Sale, reflecting high expectations.

2nd Generation Pedigree

• Curlin’s Parents (Grande’s Paternal Grandparents)
  Curlin’s sire is Smart Strike, as you confirmed, a son of Mr. Prospector who was a leading North American sire, producing champions like English Channel and Lookin At Lucky. Smart Strike’s progeny are known for stamina and versatility, with Curlin being a standout at 1 1/4 miles and beyond. Curlin’s dam is Sherriff’s Deputy, by Deputy Minister, a stakes-placed mare who earned $150,000 and adds durability to the lineage—Deputy Minister sired 1992 Horse of the Year A.P. Indy, reinforcing classic-distance ability.
• Journey Home’s Parents (Grande’s Maternal Grandparents)
  Journey Home’s sire is War Front, a son of Danzig who won the 2006 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (G2) and became a leading turf sire, producing stars like 2016 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Tourist. War Front’s progeny often excel on turf but can handle dirt, as seen with runners like Omaha Beach (2019 Arkansas Derby winner). Journey Home’s dam is Soul Search, by A.P. Indy, a stakes-winning mare who earned $340,000, including the 2005 Winning Colors Stakes. A.P. Indy, a 1992 Belmont Stakes winner, adds significant stamina to the family, with progeny known for excelling at 1 1/4 miles and beyond.

Additional Notes on Grande’s Pedigree

• Paternal Line (Curlin): Smart Strike, by Mr. Prospector, brings elite stamina—his progeny like Curlin and Lookin At Lucky have won at 1 1/4 miles and beyond, with Curlin’s 2007 Preakness (1:53.46) showcasing his ability to carry speed over distance. Sherriff’s Deputy, by Deputy Minister, adds toughness—Deputy Minister’s influence through A.P. Indy (Soul Search’s sire) creates a pedigree cross that reinforces Grande’s potential for the Derby distance.
• Maternal Line (Journey Home): War Front, by Danzig, offers versatility—his progeny often excel on turf, but runners like Omaha Beach show dirt ability, which could help Grande adapt to Churchill Downs. Soul Search, by A.P. Indy, doubles down on stamina—A.P. Indy’s Belmont win and siring record (e.g., 2003 Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide) suggest Grande can handle 1 1/4 miles. Journey Home’s turf success adds a layer of class, though her progeny need to prove dirt ability .
• Pedigree Fit for the Derby: Grande’s pedigree is tailor-made for the 1 1/4-mile Derby distance. Curlin’s classic-distance success and Smart Strike’s stamina blend with A.P. Indy’s influence through Soul Search, giving Grande a strong foundation for 10 furlongs. His Wood Memorial runner-up finish (1:48.08) shows he can handle the distance, but his wide trip there suggests he has room to improve with a favorable post and a better trip.

Grande’s Race Record