Gran Mirella Makes Solid U.S. Debut

The Argentine-bred mare, making her first start since early October, finished fifth, beaten 6 1/2 lengths, in a one-mile allowance optional claiming on the dirt at Horseshoe Indianapolis

Gran Mirella encountered a sloppy track and a slow early pace / HLP

SHELBYVILLE, Indiana (Special for Turf Diario).- For Gran Mirella, Tuesday marked a positive first step on U.S. soil when she made her debut at Horseshoe Indianapolis. The Argentine-bred filly, unraced since early October 2024 when she closed out her campaign with a victory in the 2000-meter Gran Premio Selección de Potrancas (G1) at La Plata, finished fifth, beaten 6 1/2 lengths, in a $62,500 allowance optional claiming that carried a purse of $36,000, contested over a mile on a sloppy dirt track.

Now trained by Riley Mott for Japanese owner Koji Maeda, the daughter of Dabster encountered a rather moderate early tempo (splits of :24.20, :48.33, and 1:12.55) that didn’t play in her favor. Ridden by Martin Pedroza Jr., she trailed the field throughout the early stages under a hard ride, made some ground on the turn, and kept on steadily down the lane without being able to improve her position significantly.

The race was won by Desert Rhapsody (Cairo Prince), while Gran Mirella missed third by just a length, with the favorite Pretty Sassy (Medaglia d’Oro) filling that spot. The final time was 1:37.79.

Given she was returning from a lengthy layoff, over an altered surface, and at a distance shorter than her best, Gran Mirella is expected to move forward off this run. A stretch-out in trip could suit her well, as she showed her best form over longer distances during her Argentine campaign.

Formerly campaigned by Stud Tinta Roja and bred by Al Adiyaat Argentina SA, the imposing chestnut, who won on debut in a division of the Clásico Precoces at La Plata, will now look ahead to her next opportunity, having cleared several important hurdles in her U.S. unveiling.