New Orleans, LA (Sports Network) - Peace Rules overcame a stewards" inquiry and
a jockey"s objection to win the $500,000 New Orleans Handicap at the Fair
Grounds. The victory allowed Peace Rules to become just the second horse to win
the racetrack"s feature stakes races in consecutive years.
Last year, Peace Rules captured the Louisiana Derby at the Fair Grounds to join
Master Derby as the only horses to claim the derby and New Orleans Handicap in two
straight years.
Peace Rules, ridden by Jerry Bailey, took the lead shortly after the start, but caused
all kinds of problems heading into the clubhouse turn. Entering the turn he moved to
the rail even though he was not clear of Saint Liam, who was running second. This
caused Saint Liam to move to the outside, which in turn forced Sir Cherokee to push
Ten Most Wanted to the middle of the track.
Peace Rules and Saint Liam ran one-two up the backstretch with Funny Cide running
third. Around the final turn Peace Rules and Saint Liam hooked up in a stretch
battle. It appeared that the two four-year-olds bumped several times down the stretch.
Peace Rules prevailed by a nose over Saint Liam. Funny Cide finished third and Seattle
Fitz was fourth. The time for the 1 1/8 miles was 1:48.61.
Immediately after the finish the stewards lodged an inquiry and jockey Edgar Prado
filed an objection. It took about 15 minutes for the judges to determine that no
change in the order of finish was warranted.
Peace Rules returned $9.20, $4.60 and $3.60. Saint Liam paid $6.20 and $5.00, and
Funny Cide paid $4.60 for show.
Peace Rules is owned by Edmund Gann and trained by Bobby Frankel. The victory, worth
$300,000, was the colt"s first win of the year. He now has earned more than $2.4 million
with seven wins in 15 starts.
