El Grande O, a 2-year-old son of Take Charge Indy, used his impressive speed to win Sunday’s $200,000 Sleepy Hollow S. at the Belmont at the Big A meet.
The dark bay colt is one of Take Charge Indy’s six stakes horses this year and is part of his first crop to race since he returned to U. S. to take up stud duties. WinStar recently announced Take Charge Indy’s 2024 fee at $10,000 S&N.
El Grande O, who won the Bertram F. Bomgard S. in late September, came out of the gate running Sunday, dueling with Solo’s Fury through a half-mile in :46.17. El Grande O began to pull away going into the turn and was three lengths clear of the field turning for home. He was kept to the task down the stretch and was under a hand ride in the final stages to finish the mile over the sloppy track in 1:37.98.
“You rarely see a 2-year-old that has run as much as we’ve run him,” said winning trainer Linda Rice. “He walks around the paddock calm and happy to be here and that’s allowed us to run him more frequently than we’ve run other 2-year-olds.”
El Grande O has made eight starts this season, amassed $319,000 and a record of 3-3-1 for owner Barry Schwartz.
The winner was bred by Stonewall Farm and is a half-brother to multiple stakes-placed Meal Ticket.
