Starter Optional Claiming

Chart notes

IRISH VALOR, forwardly placed along the inside stalking the pacesetter, moved to press the issue inside that foe racing into the far turn, tipped out while being roused to a clear advantage racing past the furlong marker and held ROARING RIVER grudgingly to the end under firm handling. The latter raced four wide into the first turn while coming under rating to drop off the first turn, continued under patient handling to the second bend, was urged to challenge four wide racing into upper stretch, shifted inwards to close the gap on the winner in the closing stages but was just outkicked. EL SAMURO settled along the inside to the backstretch, came under prompting to advance entering the far turn while shifting off the inside, angled out five wide in upper stretch, then found some late response to gain a share in the closing stages. BROADWAY PETE, in touch with the pacesetter three wide attending the pace in the opening half, was urged to advance between foes in that path nearing upper stretch but weakened in the drive. CANDY CRUSHEM tracked off the first flight between foes racing to the backstretch, angled to the rail racing through the far turn and steadily faded in the drive. CLIFFY, urged between foes dictating the pace on a narrow advantage in the opening half, dueled for command into the far turn and gave way between racing into the stretch. JEGOS FIRE settled outside foes racing to the backstretch and never gained contention.