Warrior Of Peace, owned and trained by YME Stable, stamped himself as one of the fastest New York-bred sprinters in training with a strong front-running victory in The Hudson. Breaking sharply under Jaramillo E, the 4-year-old gelding went right to the lead in this $200.000 State bred stake for older runners at 6 1/2 furlongs and never surrendered command. Warrior Of Peace was already proven against quality company coming in off graded-caliber efforts and allowance wins at sprint distances, and here he converted that form into a stakes score while stopping the clock in 1:14.89 on a fast Aqueduct track. This win moves his career record to 4-for-13 with $248.140 in total earnings for YME Stable.

Race Recap

The Hudson brought together a compact but classy group of New York-foaled older sprinters going 6 1/2 furlongs for a $200.000 purse. Fractions were sharp from the start: :22.4 for the opening quarter, :45.3 for the half, 1:09 flat for six furlongs, and a final time of 1:14.89.

Warrior Of Peace established his speed immediately and was right there at the start of the race. Got Milk from D J C Racing Stables was closest early and was up pressing near him through the opening quarter. Morethan Meetsthe Is for Night Rider Stables was not far behind that first pair through the opening stages, while Beach Boys for Delta Farms and Leary for Santan Stables were tracking the leading group.

By the half-mile, Warrior Of Peace had taken clear control of the race and had opened up daylight. Got Milk continued to chase in second past the half and into the turn while Morethan Meetsthe Is held position just behind. Beach Boys and Leary were within range and beginning to build their runs as they approached the stretch.

After six furlongs in 1:09, Warrior Of Peace was still in front and holding his advantage. Beach Boys was now making his move and had advanced into a strong second, and Leary was also moving forward and working his way into contention. Morethan Meetsthe Is stayed on and continued to carry speed past the furlong marker. Got Milk, after his early press, began to feel the toll of the pace.

Warrior Of Peace maintained his lead through the final drive and hit the wire first in 1:14.89. Beach Boys finished second for Delta Farms and Jimenez A after making a sustained run through the stretch. Leary kept on and secured third for Santan Stables and Lezcano J. Morethan Meetsthe Is held his position to finish fourth under Carmouche K for Night Rider Stables. Got Milk, after being involved early, completed the order of finish in fifth for D J C Racing Stables and Elliott S.

Individual Trip Notes

Warrior Of Peace (YME Stable / Jaramillo E) — Broke on top, controlled the fractions of :22.4, :45.3 and 1:09, and finished the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:14.89. Never headed at any call.

Beach Boys (Delta Farms / Jimenez A) — Was in the second flight early, advanced past the half-mile call, and emerged as the main chaser late. Finished a clear second.

Leary (Santan Stables / Lezcano J) — Sat behind the main speeds early, crept into contention past six furlongs, and kept on through the last furlong to be third.

Morethan Meetsthe Is (Night Rider Stables / Carmouche K) — Raced just off the leaders early, stayed on behind the top group around the turn, and held his position through the lane to finish fourth.

Got Milk (D J C Racing Stables / Elliott S) — Applied early pressure to Warrior Of Peace through the opening fractions and stayed involved through the half mile and six-furlong calls before yielding late and finishing fifth.

What’s Next for the Winner

Warrior Of Peace has now won 4 of 13 career starts, and he has earned $248.140 overall for YME Stable. He’s shown he can carry his speed effectively up to 7 furlongs against tough company, and he just proved he can beat older New York-breds in a statebred stakes sprint. A logical next step would be another statebred sprint stakes for older horses or an open-company listed or graded sprint at 6 or 7 furlongs, where his early speed and ability to finish could make him dangerous again. By Soviet Warrior out of Two Thunder, bred by YME Stable, Warrior Of Peace added a signature win to his resume in The Hudson and continues in top current form.

Track: Fast
Time: :22⁴  :45³  1:09  1:14⁴

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 1 – 5 Paid 4.70
$1 Trifecta: 1 – 5 – 4 Paid 24.80

Scratched: None

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded