Declarationofpeace wins the Qatar Juvenile Turf Sprint Stakes © Horsephotos.com

In a thrilling finish, longshot Declarationofpeace, under a rousing ride by jockey Ryan Moore, forged to the front in the final strides to shade 3-1 favored Sound And Silence and win the $200,000 Qatar Juvenile Turf Sprint Stakes, the final stage-setter before nine consecutive Breeders’ Cup championship contests at Del Mar.

Declarationofpeace, sent to the gate at an overlooked 14-1, scored by a head over Sound And Silence who appeared home free under William Buick until collared late by the winner. Sound And Silence was a half-length in front of Out of the Flames, with Corinthia Knight fourth in the field of a dozen two-year-olds. Thus, European-based runners swept the first four positions in the five furlong grass sprint.

Declarationofpeace, owned by Magnier, Tabor and Smith and trained by Aidan O’Brien, sped the distance in 57.23 and returned $30.40, $13.80 and $8.80. Sound And Silence paid $5.40 and $4.40, while Out of the Flames returned $9.20 to show.

The winner, a son of War Front, was scoring his third win in eight starts. First money of $120,000 increased the colt’s earnings to $151,161.

RYAN MOORE (Declarationofpeace, winner) – “We’ve always thought highly of this horse. He was having fun out there today. When he made the turn, he got going and we got there. This course is fine. You just need a good horse to win.”

AIDAN O’BRIEN (Declarationofpeace, winner) – “He’s a very fast horse and Ryan (Moore) gave him a very good ride.”

FRACTIONS:  :22.34  :45.51  :57.23

The stakes win was the second of the meet for rider Moore and his second stakes win ever at Del Mar.

The stakes win was the second of the meet for trainer O’Brien and his second stakes win ever at Del Mar.

The owners are Englishman Derrick Smith, Englishman Michael Tabor and Irishwoman Mrs. John Magnier.