Spruce's Prince best in No Le Hace Stakes

Spruce's Prince gave Gerald Romero the 1,000th Thoroughbred win of his training career on Saturday night, when he rallied from off the pace for a length and a half victory in the $40,000 No Le Hace Stakes. The seven and a half furlong race closed out the meet at Retama Park near San Antonio.

Oncearoundtwice finished second, three-quarters of a length in front of third-place finisher Charming Socialite.

Early in the No Le Hace, Spruce's Prince ($8.80) raced several lengths off of Charming Socialite, who led the field through an opening quarter in 23.26 seconds, and a half-mile in 46.06. Spruce's Prince advanced on the final turn and went on to cover the distance over firm turf in 1:29.19.

Lonnie Meche rode the winner for Romero.

The No Le Hace was the second straight stakes win for Spruce's Prince, who captured the $100,000 Shiskabob at Louisiana Downs in September. Overall, the horse has won 8 of 29 starts and $230,268, and he races for William Deckwa Jr.