Peace and Justice Gets First Black-Type Winner
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Photo: Coady Photography
Like a Saltshaker wins the Fitz Dixon Jr. Memorial Juvenile Stakes at Presque Isle Downs
Magic Oaks' Like a Saltshaker became the first stakes winner for sire Peace and Justice Oct. 12 when the gelding took the Fitz Dixon Jr. Memorial Juvenile Stakes at Presque Isle Downs.
Ridden by Harry Hernandez, who was aboard for his maiden victory Sept. 29, Like a Saltshaker broke on top in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint on the all-weather track. The gelding settled in third early rating just off the pace as Imperial King set fractions of :22.89 and :45.56 through the first half-mile.
But Imperial King's lead was short-lived and he faded at the top of the stretch. Like a Saltshaker, who had saved ground when running just off the rail in the turn, bid three wide heading into the lane to make his run for the wire.
In the final strides, Like a Saltshaker split frontrunners Nice Ace and Smokin' Jay and was able to get up in time and claim the victory by three-quarters of a length.
Trained by Adam Rice, Like a Saltshaker was bred in Pennsylvania by Diamond B Farm owner Glenn Brok out of the Harlan's Holiday mare With Sprinkles. The gelding was also the first winner for Peace and Justice.
Peace and Justice, a three-time winner on turf from eight starts for Justice Family Racing Stables, is a 10-year-old son of War Front out of the Smart Strike mare Strike the Sky, also dam of Dixie Stakes (G2T) winner Hudson Steele and Lauren Byrd, who is stakes-placed on the turf.
The dark bay entered stud in 2017 at Diamond B Farm in Pennsylvania, then moved to Northview PA in 2018 and stood for $3,500 in 2020. Northview sold its Pennsylvania division this year to consolidate and focus on its Maryland operation.