Bring the Smoke proved up to the task in his stakes debut May 16 at Laurel Park as he rallied strongly through the stretch to win the $150,000 Maryland Sprint Stakes (G3).
The lightly raced 4-year-old Preservationist gelding displayed a new running style in winning his stakes debut, rallying from fifth to post a neck victory in the 6-furlong test for 3-year-olds and older. Bring the Smoke had raced first or second early in his past two starts, but winning trainer Whit Beckman removed the blinkers for Saturday's race.
"We wanted him to settle back behind the speed and not be part of the speed," Beckman said. "It worked out."
The early portion of Saturday's race saw Faster Gator, Faust, and Haileysfirstnotion hook up in a battle for the lead through a :22.08 opening quarter. Faster Gator faded after a half-mile in :45.09 with the other two battling into the stretch before Faust took command between calls.
But Bring the Smoke, after bobbling at the gate and rating in fourth or fifth early, closed relentlessly on the outside in the stretch to secure the win under Tyler Gaffalione. He completed the 6 furlongs in 1:10.73 on a fast track.
"All credit goes to Whit and his team," Gaffalione said. "They brought him over here ready. He fired big for us, and I think taking off the blinkers really helped him relax today."
The second-longest shot in the field of seven, Bring the Smoke paid $16.60, $7.20, and $4.60 across the board. Faust held second and paid $5.20 and $3.60 to place and show, while Haileysfirstnotion returned $3.60 to show.
The Maryland Sprint Stakes is a Breeders' Cup Dirt Dozen series race tied to the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1). Horses finishing first, second, or third in these designated races earn a tiered bonus bankroll that can be used toward Breeders' Cup pre-entry and entry fees.
The victory flattered the private purchase of the gelding earlier this year for owners Awestrike Racing, Berry Family Racing, Legion Racing, GLAM Racing, and Clarke Ohrstrom. That purchase followed Bring the Smoke's 18 1/4-length victory in a Feb. 21 maiden special weight race at Laurel Park.
In looking at the horse's maiden performance for owner Team Gaudet and trainer Lacey Gaudet, Beckman noted he didn't want to overreact to the margin of victory as that race only had four starters. But upon more research, he liked the speed figure earned.
For the new owners, Beckman saddled Bring the Smoke to a runner-up finish in an allowance race April 12 at Keeneland ahead of Saturday's stakes win.
Bred in Kentucky by the late Brereton Jones, Bring the Smoke is out of the grade 3-winning Stevie Wonderboy mare Covey Trace, who has produced five winners from six starters, including stakes winner Gambaro and stakes-placed Flamand.
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