Fort Sam required the better part of a year to find the winner's circle. The Hurstland Farm graduate (photo) needed far less time taking his next step forward.

Tuesday at Churchill Downs the 4yo son of Vino Rosso contested a fast pace then held off a pair of late bids to win a seven-furlong allowance by 3/4 length.

Trainer David Fawkes elected shipping Fort Sam to Kentucky after his Gulfstream Park graduation, and racing for a $127,000 purse he proved up to the competition.

Luis Saez sent Fort Sam from the rail and after withstanding that early pace drew clear in deep stretch ahead of G T Five Hundred and Risk It.

The 1/2 brother to MGSW Get Smokin and $550,000 OBS March 2yo is the fourth winner out of Hookah Lady, all bred by Hurstland in partnership with James Greene.

The Smoke Glacken mare is dam to a yearling Practical Joke filly and has foaled a colt by Golden Pal.