FROM Sheer To Ben, a three-year-old bay colt bred by Legal Process out of the Traditional mare Sheer Madness, announced himself as a possible participant in the upcoming Classic series of races with an encouraging debut win on Sunday, April 23, 2023, at Caymanas Park.

Owned by S&S Camp and trained by Alford Brown, From Sheer To Ben was successful in a non-restricted Maiden Condition call for native-bred three-year-olds over 6 furlongs (1,200m).

From Sheer To Ben fought off all challengers to win the contest by 2 lengths in a time of 1:15.0 (23.3 x 47.2) easily at the wire.

Brown said that while the win was expected, he did expect a little more from his charge, From Sheer To Ben.

“Well, I am ecstatic, and I am happy for the win by From Sheer To Ben. All the long preparations and to see him come here and win. I mean, this is his first experience — as this is all new to him — and to see what he did, I am a happy man.

“I’m not impressed with the time of 1:15.0 but time only matters when you are in jail. I know he is a distance horse and I know sprinting is not his cup of tea so going longer will be better,” Brown said in his post-race interview.

While we would expect From Sheer To Ben to test his credentials in the May 7 The Kingston — the final prep race for colts and geldings before the Classics begins — Brown said that he will skip that 7½-furlong (1,500m) contest, and instead point his bay colt somewhere else.

“We saw this race about a month out and we prepared him for it and he responded to everything I did. I am going to prepare him for the Monday Morning Trophy, that’s May 22, so we have enough time to prepare him,” explained Brown.

With Linton Steadman in the saddle From Sheer To Ben got a good start from the off and raced close to the pace in the third place spot as Cosmic Force (Bebeto Harvey) and Smooth Aviator (Oshane Nugent).

Going into the half-mile (800m) turn Smooth Aviator took over the lead from From Sheer To Ben, also making his move to go down into second place as May Sellington (Paul Francis) got going as well.

From Sheer To Ben hugged the inside rails coming into the lane, laid out his gallop well in deep stretch, and led his rivals home. God Still Love Me (Dane Dawkins) came from behind runners to get second place at the line, ahead of Phenomenal One (Reyan Lewis). May Sellington finished third but was later disqualified and placed behind Phenomenal One.