First Peace rallies to win John Shear Stakes
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ARCADIA, Calif. – First Peace won his 2023 debut in Sunday’s $101,500 John Shear Stakes for 3-year-old turf sprinters at Santa Anita, giving Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith his first stakes win since late January.
First Peace ($10) closed from fourth in a field of eight to win by a length over 9-1 Mas Rapido, who also rallied from off the pace.
“I needed that one,” Smith said.
First Peace ran about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course in 1:11.50, a quick time on a day in which the course record for the distance was lowered to 1:10.52 by Noble Reflection in an allowance race. The previous mark of 1:10.73 was set by Eddie’s First in 2014.
First Peace earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 84, which equals his career best.
First Peace was two lengths off the pace on the hillside in the John Shear, chasing 10-1 Helladic, who set a quick pace of 21.19 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 43.20 for a half-mile.
First Peace rallied on the inside to take the lead in early stretch. The colt is trained by Mark Glatt, who is assisted by his son, Ryan.
“Mark and Ryan told me the horse was doing better than he’s ever been,” Smith said. “When I got on him, I knew he was confident.
“He was in the gate and was so focused. He was loaded the whole time.”
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Mas Rapido closed from sixth and was in second-place through the stretch.
“I think the pace helped us big time,” jockey Umberto Rispoli said. “I had a good trip.”
Rispoli was a late substitute for Kent Desormeaux, who took off his mounts Sunday after being unseated in a spill on Saturday.
Valiancer (9-1) finished third, followed by Conclude, Helladic, Fleet Feet, Nullarbor, and Marks Hip. Conclude, the 3-5 favorite, was well-placed on the hillside, but was not a factor in the stretch, losing by 5 1/2 lengths.
The stewards conducted an inquiry into an incident between Conclude and Marks Hip on the hillside when Conclude crossed in front of Marks Hip. The stewards ruled the decision did not cost Marks Hip a better placing.
First Peace races for Rancho Temescal and Red Baron’s Barn and has won 2 of 6 starts. By the More Than Ready stallion Funtastic, First Peace has earned $141,300.
The John Shear Stakes was First Peace’s first start since a second in the Eddie Logan Stakes at a mile on turf Dec. 30. First Peace was entered in the Baffle Stakes at Santa Anita on March 4, but was withdrawn after developing a temperature in the days before the race.
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