FIVE-YEAR-OLD bay mare Hit N Run (Sunshine N Shadow – The Vibes Lady) made a triumphant return to racing on Sunday March 1, 2026, winning her first start of the year.

Trained by Norman Smith and ridden by Richie Shakes, Hit N Run held off Tigeramedat (Bebeto Harvey) in a thrilling finish to take the three-year-old and upward Optional Claiming ($500,000 – $400,000) event that included native-bred six-year-olds and upward (non-winners of four). Hit N Run won the seven-furlong (1,400m) race by a half-length in a time of 1:31.0. It was Hit N Run’s second-consecutive win, having won on December 20, 2025.

Hit N Run got a good start at the off and sat in second place behind Dimetry P (Anthony Allen) down the backstretch. Hit N Run maintained her steady gallop well until approaching the half-mile (800m) when she made her move, along with Zion (Roger Hewitt), to surround the leader.

With momentum going her way Hit N Run surged to the front in deep stretch, and although she was shortening inside the final stages of the race the five-year-old bay mare had done just enough to hold onto the win at the wire despite a fast-finishing Tigeramedat. Zion finished in third place.