Solis Guides Grumpy Gramps to Victory in Santa Anita Feature

Grumpy Gramps, ridden by Alex Solis, took the lead at the top of the stretch and held on for a three-quarter-length victory over Superfluously in Friday’s $46,000 feature race on the turf at Santa Anita.

The victory was the first since May for Grumpy Gramps, who returned from an eight-month layoff to finish seventh in an allowance last month.

This time, the 4-year-old son of M. Double M. came from the middle of the pack to take the lead and hold off Superfluously. Black Pheasant was an additional 2 1/2 lengths back in third.

Grumpy Gramps carried 115 pounds and was clocked in 1:47 in the 1 1/8-mile grass allowance for California-bred horses 4 and older.

Grumpy Gramps, winning for the third time in six career starts, went off as the favorite and paid $4.20, $3.20 and $2.80. Superfluously, ridden by Chris McCarron and carrying 116, paid $4.20 and $3.60. The show payoff on Black Pheasant, Danny Sorenson and 116, was $7.20.