Trend registers breakthrough performance in Joseph Grace Handicap

The well-traveled Trend made his Northern California debut in the $54,210 Joseph T. Grace Handicap and scored his first career stakes victory Sunday at the Sonoma County Fair.

The 7-year-old Trend ($16.60) had three stakes seconds, including a pair in Grade 3 races, before his strong stretch run netted him his first stakes victory as he rallied from last to win the 1 1/16-mile turf race in 1:42.34, defeating Black Spirit by one-half length and Hudson Landing by 3 3/4 lengths as 7-year-old runners captured the top three spots.

With no pace in the race, Dennis Carr wound up trying to find a comfortable spot for Trend. Carr explained the instructions he received from trainers Richard Mandella and his deputy trainer on the grounds, Jedd Josephson.

“They told me ‘Don’t send, but don’t take him back,’ ” said Carr. “I was in a spot where I was afraid I would get pinched so I took back and all of a sudden I was last. I thought there would be more speed, and I’d be in mid-pack comfortably, but last was not a bad thing because we were close.”

As Siberian Laughter set a slow pace, favored Black Spirit and also Pepper Crown moved on him approaching the second turn. Trend was still last, but Carr angled him out in the clear.

“They told me to get him running early, and he found a gear I didn’t think he had,” said Carr, who had Black Spirit measured although the winning margin wasn’t big.

A Stone Farm homebred, Trend earned $32,500 to increase his lifetime earnings to $300,705 with 4 wins in 29 starts.