Jerry Little’s homebred Angus Kahn held a slim advantage early, then shook free in early stretch and posted a comfortable win in the first race on Thursday at Presque Isle Downs to become the first winner for Central Kentucky-based freshman sire Grand Reward.

Trained by Eric Reed, Angus Kahn won by 4¾ lengths under Scott Spieth and completed the five-furlong maiden special weight race in :57.94 on the synthetic Tapeta Footings surface. The chestnut colt, who rebounded from a runner-up finish in his career debut on April 23 at Keeneland Race Course, is one of four winners from as many starters out of the winning Diablo mare Diablo River.

An eight-year-old by Storm Cat out of 1995 champion three-year-old filly Serena's Song, by Rahy, Grand Reward stood in 2009 for $8,500 at Hill 'n' Dale Farms in Lexington. Grand Reward, who is a full brother to Group 1 winner Sophisticat and a half brother Grade 2 winner Harlington and multiple stakes winner Serena's Tune, has 132 two-year-olds in his first crop.

Campaigned by the partnership of breeder Beverly Lewis, Susan Magnier, and Michael Tabor, Kentucky-bred Grand Reward won four of 24 starts and earned $545,844 while racing in Europe and the United States. He placed four times in group stakes in England and Ireland as a two- and three-year-old. Returned to the U.S. as a four-year-old, he won the 2005 Oaklawn Handicap (G2).