TDN RISING STARS

January 5, 2014 - Santa Anita, Race 6, Alw, USD $58,000, 1M, NW1$X

Peace and Justice, c, 4, 2010 by War Front

1st Dam: Strike The Sky, by Smart Strike
2nd Dam: Sky Darter, by Storm Bird
3rd Dam: Forli's Treat, by Forli

Owner: Justice Family Racing LLC
Breeder: Jay W Bligh
Trainer: John Shirreffs

Peace and Justice won like a good thing to justify 3-1 favoritism first up over yielding Belmont sod in June, but disappointed in his next two allowance tries, finishing eighth both at the Spa Aug. 10 and back in Elmont Oct. 2 while displaying some signs of mental immaturity. He had turned in a series of sharp five-furlong breezes over the Hollywood all-weather in the interim, however, and put it all back together here. Emerging with the lead as expected heading into the first turn, the 9-1 shot threw down the gauntlet through swift opening splits of :22.77 and :45.62 as he started to get away. Peace and Justice was still doing well when he hit the head of the lane, and though he made some erratic moves in the stretch, the dark bay had already given himself room to spare and cruised under the wire 5 1/4 lengths clear. Favorite Brother Pete (Broken Vow) completed the exacta. The winner, a $425,000 KEESEP yearling, is a half to Hudson Steele (Johannesburg), MSW & MGSP, $513,824; and Lauren Byrd (Arch), SP. He hails from the extended family of Grade I winners Ida Delia (Graustark) and Victory Speech (Deputy Minister). Lifetime Record: 4-2-0-0, $86,728.