Claiming

Chart notes

OPTIMAL COURAGE, crowded between rivals at the start, was forced inwards a bit in the opening stages when repeatedly bumped by RUNNING VIOLENCE, was urged to gain some position between foes while tipping to the three path nearing the bend crossing over the path of RUNNING VIOLENCE, continued with a steady advance three wide into upper stretch and wrested the advantage in the closing stages under firm right handed encouragement. PAPA LUKE sprinted clear of the field in the opening stages while angling sharply to the inside, dictated the pace a bit off the rail racing into the turn, resisted the winner's bid racing into upper stretch but proved no match for that rival late. SWINGIN FRIAR was off slowly, settled out of striking distance along the inside on the backstretch, was prompted to advance splitting foes into upper stretch, then shifted out four wide racing past the sixteenth marker and continued to make some mild progress to the end while prevailing for a share on the wire. RUNNING VIOLENCE broke inwards bumping RHOMBUS at the start, shifted in sharply avoiding PELUCHIN CHIN just after the break making repeated contact with the eventual winner, was urged three deep between foes to gain a position in the second flight racing through the backstretch, lost some position when caught in tight quarters while clipping heels with the eventual winner approaching the seven sixteenths marker, was collected, then switched outside foes to advance five wide into the lane but was outkicked for a share. VALID EXCHANGE broke inwards, was urged to a forward placing tracking the pacesetter inside rivals into the bend, saved ground through the turn and was prompted to bid inside foes racing into upper stretch but came up empty late. RHOMBUS, bumped, squeezed, then shuffled back avoiding tight quarters at the start, never gained contention. PELUCHIN CHIN shied inwards in the opening stages crowding several rivals, was righted to track the pacesetter four wide in second flight through the backstretch but emptied out early. FOLLOWING THE RACE, THE STEWARDS CONDUCTED AN INQUIRY INTO THE INCIDENT NEARING THE TURN BUT TOOK NO ACTION.