Peaceful Reign put it all together and posted his first stakes victory Sunday over Noosa Beach in the $50,000 Seattle Slew Handicap for 3 year olds at Emerald Downs.
With Gallyn Mitchell riding at 114 pounds, Peaceful Reign ran the 1-1/16 mile in a stakes record 1 minute, 41 seconds and paid $9.60, $5 and $3.20. Vann Belvoir is the trainer for owner Jerry Maggard of Yakima.
Peaceful Reign dueled with Noosa Beach to the head of the stretch, shook clear into the lane and drew off to win with complete authority. The victory was worth $27,500 to Maggard, who claimed Peaceful Reign from his maiden win for $30,000 on May 9.
Noosa Beach, ridden by Juan Gutierrez at 119 pounds, was bidding for his third stakes win of the meet, but was lost in the stretch by nearly five lengths. Noosa Beach paid $6 and $4.
It was 2-½ lengths back to Winning Machine, the 9-5 betting favorite ridden by Ricky Frazier at 118 pounds, and a $2.60 show payoff.
Rooster City, the 2-1 second choice, finished fourth, followed by Born’n Blue Genes, Deacon Speakin’ and Who’s Your Next Ex.
A Washington-bred gelding by Liberty Gold, Peaceful Reign has a 2-1-2 record from five starts with earnings of $52,775, including $27,500 for the Slew victory.
Belvoir, the hottest trainer at the track in recent weeks, explained the decision to claim Peaceful Reign.
“In his first race he ran a good number and he finished fast,” Belvoir said. “A horse like that, I thought he’d be worth a lot more than $30,000 if we’d tried to buy him privately.”
Mitchell has four stakes wins at the meet, second only to Frazier’s six. He ranks No. 1 all-time with 59 added-money wins at Emerald Downs and said he was surprised by the way the race developed.
“The (strategy) was to watch the pace, and see what developed,” Mitchell said. “When (Who’s Your Next Ex) didn’t take the lead I was really surprised. My horse was doing it so easy. He ran like an experienced horse and gave me a great kick.”
Track notes:
•Quietly Roar scored a 39-1 upset in the ninth race with Seth Martinez riding for trainer Roy Lumm and owners Al and Sandee Kirkwood.
•Emerald Downs is dark Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Racing resumes at 6 p.m. Thursday.
