First Peace has no problem stretching out in Wickerr Stakes
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DEL MAR, Calif. – An improving 4-year-old sprinter who has learned to harness his speed, First Peace stretched to a mile on turf Sunday and scored a decisive victory in the $103,000 Wickerr Stakes at Del Mar.
First Peace benefitted from a perfect trip under jockey Mike Smith. First Peace raced alone in fourth while three speedballs ran each other into the ground through a 45.04 half-mile and six furlongs in 1:09.59. First Peace reeled in Noble Reflection, Cabo Spirit and Air Force Red on the far turn and kicked away to win the Wickerr by a 1 1/4 lengths in a sharp 1:33.81.
The second- through fifth-place finishers were Astronomer, Flashiest, Conclude and Almendares (2.70-1 favorite).
Smith, who has ridden First Peace his last 12 starts, said the colt has changed from a hard-pulling sprinter with speed, to a laid-back pro. “His last two or three sprints, he wasn’t showing that speed anymore,” Smith said. “I said, I think he’s telling us he wants to go farther.”
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Trainer Mark Glatt saw the same thing. “I think he’s a little different horse this year,” Glatt said. “I always thought a flat mile was within reach, but he would have to learn to relax. Some horses never do. ”
First Peace ($9.60) relaxed perfectly Sunday, winning a route for the first time since his maiden win as a 2-year-old in 2022. The result was the fourth win of his 13-start career and a ticket to the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile on Aug. 31.
“The sky’s the limit,” Glatt said.
First Peace is owned by Tim Cohen’s Rancho Temescal and Red Baron’s Barn, and Rodney Orr. A 4-year-old by Funtastic, First Peace earned $60,000 to push his earnings to $328,020. The Wickerr, restricted to non-winners of $50,000 in a stakes at a mile or more since Oct. 1, was his second stakes victory. First Peace won the John Shear Stakes on the Santa Anita hill in 2023.
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