Bear’s Peak stalked a quick early pace before swooping to victory down the lane to win the $125,800 Overskate Stakes, Saturday at Woodbine.
The chestnut son of Peaks and Valleys-Royal Ascot, trained by Reade Baker for owner Bear Stables Ltd., settled in third-position down the backstretch in the seven furlong ‘Poly’ sprint as Royal Egbert set splits of :22.86 and :45.24 with Jenna’s Wabbit hot on his heels.
Justin Stein urged Bear’s Peak into contention through the turn and collared a rail-running Jenna’s Wabbit with 70 yards to run, to take the spoils by 1 3/4-lengths in 1.22.46. Jenna’s Wabbit held on for place, a length in front of a rallying Courtville.
Stein couldn’t be happier with the trip he engineered for the lightly raced four-year-old.
“It was a beautiful trip, ideal really,” said Stein. “Those horses (Royal Egbert and Jenna’s Wabbit) went at it hard early and I was all by myself sitting third watching them go. My horse was nice and settled, and I had a lot of horse when it came time to do some serious running.”
Stein is a perfect two-for-two aboard Bear’s Peak since taking over the reins on August 10 for a three-quarter length allowance score.
“He’s a very talented horse and he has a tremendous kick down the lane,” said Stein. “Reade had him spot on today.”
Bear’s Peak improved his record to four wins and a second from seven lifetime starts.
He paid $14.40, $7.10 and $5, combining with Jenna’s Wabbit ($3.90, $4) for a $74.30 (10-3) exactor. A 10-3-7 (Courtville, $5.20 to show) triactor was worth $179.50 while a $1 superfecta [10-3-7-6 (Bug’s Boy)] came back $2,260.60.