DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 18, 2023) – The Chosen Vron, showing unusual early speed two weeks after a Breeders’ Cup Sprint foray, successfully defended his title in Saturday’s $100,000 Cary Grant Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles at Del Mar.
The Chosen Vron is by Vronsky, out of the Tiz Wonderful mare Tiz Molly, was bred by Tiz Molly Partners, is owned by Sondereker Racing, trainer Eric Kurljac, Robert Fetkin and Richard Thornburg. He has 14 wins in 19 starts, earnings of $1,149,678 and was coming off a fifth in the Nov. 4 Qatar Racing Breeders’ Cup Sprint.
“He’s been unreal,” said Kruljac. “Coming back in two weeks is something I’ve never done. I was a little nervous but he came back so well and so fast from Breeders’ Cup. The horse was so lively today maybe we’ll just let him roll early from now on. Once he started widening I felt pretty certain. What a blessing this horse is.”
The Chosen Vron ran seven furlongs in 1:21.22 and won by 2 3/4 lengths at odds of 1-2. Big City Lights was second despite a troubled trip and Moose Mitchell was third in a field whittled to five after four scratches.
“Is this the best horse I’ve ever ridden? ‘YES!’ Is he fun to ride? ‘YES!’” said jockey Hector Berrios.