Claiming

Chart notes

PACER took a stutter step out of the gate, stalked three then four deep on the first turn, raced up close to the outside of the leader up the backstretch, drew alongside ZAGREUS on the far turn, dueled into the lane, put a head in front at the top of the stretch, shifted out inside the eighth pole to bother a challenging FIX IT QUICK and stayed clear through the last sixteenth. FIX IT QUICK settled four then five wide on the clubhouse turn, followed in range three deep leaving the backstretch, remained three wide to the lane, challenged PACER from outside entering the final furlong but had his path taken and steadied, then kept on gamely to the secure second. ZAGREUS grabbed the early lead and moved inside, shifted to the two path around the clubhouse turn, was headed by TIGER STRENGTH approaching the backstretch, moved clear again, confronted by PACER on the far turn, dueled into the lane, lost command with a quarter mile left to run, fought to midstretch, then flattened in the late stages but finished a clear third. MILLBO BAGGINS stumbled at the start, stalked two then three wide, went two wide then found the rail late on the far turn and weakened in the drive. AUDIBLE SILENCE trailed three then two wide on the first turn and tugged the rider while racing keenly in hand, raced in range for most of the backstretch then lost ground into the far turn, rounded the second bend two then three wide and could not rally. TIGER STRENGTH showed speed from the rail but got put in tight and steadied into the first turn, rushed up leaving the backstretch, failed to match strides with the pacesetter but remained close to the far turn, dropped back around that bend, eased in the lane and walked off. THE RIDER ABOARD FIX IT QUICK LODGED A CLAIM OF FOUL AGAINST PACER FOR ALLEGED INTERFERENCE IN THE STRETCH. THE STEWARDS RULED, IN A MAJORITY DECISION, TO DISQUALIFY PACER FROM FIRST TO SECOND FOR SHIFTING OUT AND TAKING THE PATH OF FIX IT QUICK, COSTING THAT RIVAL A CHANCE AT A BETTER PLACING.