Palace Guard took the lead in the stretch on his way to posting to a half-length victory in the $100,000 Dan Johnson Sprint Stakes at Prairie Meadows on Saturday, 28 September.
The victory marked the first Stakes win for the four-year-old gelding by Palace Malice, who has won six of 17 career starts.
A compact field of six went to the post for the six-furlong Dan Johnson Sprint, with last year’s winner, Our Last Chance (by Midshipman), sent off as the favorite. Palace Guard broke on top under jockey Ken Tohill, then was taken back and nicely rated off the pace in fourth as Wearacap set the early pace. Palace Guard continued to stalk from mid-pack, then began to edge closer as the field entered the far turn.
As the field hit the top of the homestretch, Palace Guard was given his cue while racing four-wide and responded immediately, overtaking both Wearacap and Our Last Chance in the final furlong and kicking clear on his way to winning easily. Our Last Chance edged Wearacap for the runner-up spot.
Palace Guard was bred in Iowa by MAMAS Thoroughbreds LLC, and is out Addy Annie, a Stakes-placed daughter of Posse. In addition to Palace Guard, Addy Annie has also produced the multiple Stakes winner, Tin Badge (by The Deputy).
Palace Malice, who stood his first season at Darley Japan, is also represented this year by the outstanding Jantar Mantar, winner of both the G1 NHK Mile Cup and G1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes and Noble Roger, winner of the G3 Nikkan Sports Sho Shinzan Kinen.
