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There was 1 big race for older horses this
week. Peace Rules was the big winner this week in the NO Handicap. I did handicap the Handicap, but I did not get to bet it because of technical difficulties. Anyway, I was glad I didn't. I thought there was no way anybody would let Peace, with Bailey up, get away with an uncontested pace, particularly with other early speed in the race. I didn't know exactly how the pace scenario would unfold, but Peace and some other rank horse had BQ figures of 8, Fitz had a 7, and Funny Cide 6. So I had Seattle Fitz followed by Funny Cide and St. Liam, then a tiring Peace Rules. Nope, guess again. After the 1/2 mark I knew it was over as Peace Rules was leading an uncontested pace at 23.6 / 47.1, just slow enough for him to make a good stretch run. Sure enough, when challenged by the eager St. Liam, he was actually overtaken momentarily by a nose before coming back to nose that rival out. In fact, the order of finish: Peace Rules, St. Liam, Funny Cide, and Seattle Fitz, did not change at any call during the race. It was all the more enjoyable for me that I didn't bet it, because I have always liked that horse, including last year at the Derby, when I thought he could wire the field. Unfortunately, 10f was a little out of his range. This 9f range, however, was just right for him this time. It's good to see Funny Cide getting back in gear too. Head to head, he's now losing 2-3 in the series against Peace Rules. It's so easy to beat Peace Rules at 9f, all you have to do is make him chase a speedball, but these jockeys couldn't figure that out apparently. I'm sure Bailey could, but he was riding the young Jules colt. Another of last year's stars, Ten Most Wanted, could never get going after lolligagging way behind in 7th the entire race. This horse either needs a good pace to run at, or needs to be held closer to the pace if it's slow. Same went for Sir Cherokee, now on the comeback trail, and probably the best closer in this field. The longest shot in the field, Comic Truth, was last throughout the race.
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