In his first try down Santa Anita's unique hillside turf course, First Peace found room at the rail turning for home and prevailed by one length over longshot Mas Rapido in the $100,000 John Shear Stakes for 3-year-olds Sunday as owners Rancho Temescal LLC and Red Baron's Barn LLC padded their meet-leading races-won number to 13.
Trained by Mark Glatt and ridden by Mike Smith, First Peace, a Kentucky-bred colt from the first crop of Three Chimneys Farm resident sire Funtastic, a Grade 1 winner on turf, got about 6½ furlongs in 1:11.50 on a course rated as firm.
Third, about five lengths off of speed merchant Helladic at the half-mile pole, Smith bided his time at the dirt crossing behind both Helladic and Nullarbor. When Helladic drifted out just a bit, Smith dove inside and was able to keep Mas Rapido safe in a big effort.
“He was oozing confidence from the time I got on him,” said Smith. “He really loved coming down the hill, so we may have a whole lot of fun with him coming down that hill. I wanted to make sure that I gave him a fair chance to get through and not put him in a spot that was going to be dangerous for both of us. When the horse on the lead came out, it gave us the opportunity, because I was so loaded, when I did ask him, he was in there quick.”
Shortening up out of three consecutive races at one mile on turf, most recently a second place finish in the Eddie Logan Stakes Dec. 30 First Peace was off at 4-1 and paid $10 for the win.
“I've been a big fan of this horse since the day he got into my barn,” said Glatt, who got his second win of the day, moving him into fourth place in the Classic Meet standings on closing day with his 23rd overall win. “Going a mile…He's an aggressive horse and he hasn't learned to quite settle (at that distance) and I think it's hurt him in a couple of his mile races, even though he's run really well in those races.
“I thought that down the hill was going to be right up his alley. Sometimes you never know unless you try it. If they like the layout…but he's a runner. He was able to relax a little and sit behind the speed and Mike did a wonderful job on him and pushed the button when he could and the horse responded.”
A $75,000 purchase by Rob Orr at the 2022 OBS June sale of 2-year-olds and horses of racing age, where Lucan Bloodstock consigned him, First Peace is out the Point of Entry mare Peace Opportunity. Third two starts back in the Cecil B. DeMille Stakes (G3) at Del Mar Dec. 4, First Peace is now 2-2-1 from six career starts. With Sunday's winner's share of $60,000, he increased his earnings to $141,300.
Ridden by Umberto Rispoli, English-bred Mas Rapido finished well but couldn't go with the winner, finishing 3 ¾ lengths in front of Valiancer.
Ridden by Hector Berrios, Valiancer saved ground at the rail to the top of the lane, angled out and out ran 3-5 favorite Conclude by three quarters of a length for third money.
Fractions on the race were :21.19, :43.20, and 1:05.65.
Live racing will resume with first post time at 1 p.m. (PT) for opening day of Santa Anita's Hollywood Meet on Friday, April 21. Santa Anita will be open for simulcast wagering, with free parking and admission, this Thursday through Sunday.
The post ‘He Really Loved Coming Down The Hill’: First Peace Cruises To First Stakes Win In Santa Anita’s John Shear appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
