Sunday, May 22, 2022
Runnymede bred, Duke of Hazzard finished second in the Seek Again Stakes at Belmost Park on Sunday, May 22nd, earning black type in the USA following earlier stake feats in both England and France. Now trained by Wesley Ward for Fitriani Hay, Duke of Hazzard has proved he is a tough campaigner. The 6yo son of Lope de Vega and our mare With Your Spirit (Invincible Spirit) has won four stakes, including a pair at the group level in Europe, and has also placed in 8 additional stakes, including 5 at the group level.
In the one-mile Seek Again, Duke of Hazzard raced last early in a scratch-reduced 3-horse field before making a move around the far turn that took him close to Juddmonte's homebred Masen. While Masen scampered home for an easy win, his performance came off a strong runner-up effort in the G1 Maker's Mark Mile at Keeneland on April 15, and thus also reflected well on Duke of Hazzard, who not only was making his first start in America but his first in 8 months. Looking forward to seeing how Wesley Ward can further enhance Duke of Hazzard's record in turf racing. To date, the Duke has won 5 races and placed 11 times while earning $442,418.