Hammer strikes in Woodbine stakes

Hammers Terror drew off to a 3 3/4-length victory in the $103,600 Charlie Barley S. on June 23 at Woodbine, giving his sire Artie Schiller his fourth stakes winner of 2012.

Artie Schiller, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1), is a top 15 third crop sire. His leading earner this year, Mr. Commons, holds the #1 Beyer Speed Figure of 2012 for a mile on the turf in the Grade 2 Arcadia S.

Three-year-old Hammers Terror stalked the early pace in the one-mile Charlie Barley, going three-wide down the backstretch. Jockey Phil Husbands made his move around the turn, and was up three lengths when he hit the top of the stretch. It was a hand ride from that point, and the winner finished up the mile on the firm turf in a very quick 1:33.21.

“He left (the starting gate) aggressive,” said Husbands. “Two strides out, the other two horses (went) to the lead, and he just relaxed. I was just licking my chops. He showed that he was the best horse today.”

It was the third win from eight career starts for Hammers Terror, a dark bay Kentucky bred, who has now earned $155,426 for his owner Terry Hamilton. The colt finished third in both the Grade 2 Lexington S. at Keeneland and the Black Gold S. at Fair Grounds earlier this year.

Hamilton bought Hammers Terror for $40,000 at the 2010 Keeneland September yearling sale.