Good With People leads gate to wire in I'm Smokin Stakes
Good With People led throughout the $94,000 I’m Smokin Stakes for California-bred 2-year-olds to win his first stakes in his third start Friday at Del Mar.
Ridden by Abel Cedillo, Good With People ($3.80) set a solid pace of 22.48 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 45.59 for a half-mile, pulling clear by two lengths with a furlong remaining. Touchdown Brown (2-1) closed with interest to finish within a half-length of the winner.
Good With People ran six furlongs in 1:10.37.
“It got a little close for comfort,” winning trainer Peter Miller said.
Tacoflavoredkisses finished third, 4 1/4 lengths behind Touchdown Brown, and was followed by Pappy Boyington. Only four ran.
The race was decimated by the scratches of Alpine Thunder, Doc Adams, Found My Ball, Jazz Hands, Positivity, and Scooby. Positivity won the Graduation Stakes for statebred 2-year-olds at 5 1/2 furlongs on Aug. 2, finishing a half-length in front of runner-up Good With People.
Scooby, third in the Graduation, is entered in Monday’s Grade 1 Runhappy Del Mar Futurity.
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Good With People is the first stakes winner for the stallion Curlin to Mischief, who stands at Rancho San Miguel in San Miguel, Calif.
Good With People races for owners and breeders Kirk and Judy Robison. A colt, Good With People won his debut July 12 at Del Mar in a maiden special weight race at five furlongs for California-breds. He led by four lengths in the Graduation before being caught in the final strides.
For the I’m Smokin Stakes, Good With People raced without blinkers for the first time.
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“He was too aggressive last time,” Miller said. “We worked him without blinkers, and he relaxed really well.”
Good With People has earned $106,000 in his three-race career.