First Peace looks to continue impressive campaign in Desert Code

The turf sprinter First Peace has been the star 3-year-old this year for Mike Smith, a colt who left the Hall of Fame jockey impressed with a win in the John Shear Stakes at Santa Anita on April 9.

“He seems to have grown a little and gotten a little better,” Smith said on Friday.

First Peace won the John Shear Stakes for 3-year-olds at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course and is back on the same course in Sunday’s $100,000 Desert Code Stakes for 3-year-olds.

The cast of six runners is a familiar group. Mas Rapido, Valiancer, and Conclude, who were second through fourth in the John Shear Stakes, are entered in the Desert Code along with Acquired Class and Ransomware. Mas Rapido followed his second in the John Shear Stakes with a win in an allowance race at six furlongs on turf May 6.

First Peace, trained by Mark Glatt for the partnership of Rancho Temescal, Red Baron’s Barn, and Rodney Orr, won his turf-sprint stakes debut in the Shear, closing from fourth along the inside to win by a length over Mas Rapido.

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“He didn’t mind being down in there,” Smith said of the rally on the rail. “He sat down in there until it was time to go.

A winner 2 of 6 starts, First Peace led throughout a maiden race at a mile on turf at Santa Anita last October. Smith, 57, has ridden First Peace five times, and has been impressed with the colt’s versatile tactics.

“He’s quick,” Smith said. “He puts himself in a good spot. If there is not serious speed he’s okay with being on the lead. Those kind are good to ride. They put you in a good spot.

“As long as he gets away and gets comfortable, I know he’ll fire and he’ll run his race.”

First Peace was third in the opening quarter-mile of the John Shear Stakes, following a scorching opening quarter-mile of 21.19 set by the longshot Helladic. None of the runners in the Desert Code appear to be that quick which could leave Conclude or Acquired Class in front.

Acquired Class led throughout a maiden race at 6 1/2 furlongs on the main turf course on April 22 and will have his stakes debut in the Desert Code.

First Peace was the 4-1 second choice in the John Shear, while Conclude was beaten 5 1/2 lengths as the 3-5 favorite. Conclude was found to be ill in the days after the race, trainer Phil D’Amato said on Friday.

“He came back and he had a temperature the next day,” D’Amato said. “We treated him with antibiotics and he’s come around. He’s training as good as he always has.”

Conclude led throughout a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs on the main turf oval on March 4 and was third early in the John Shear.

“We’re going to run against the same horses as last time, and hopefully change the outcome,” D’Amato said. “We were very high on the horse the way he broke his maiden.”

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