Starter Optional Claiming

Chart notes

MISCHIEVOUS M broke out and bumped with CONNIVING then was hustled, moved in while going to the front then showed the way, controlled the action in the two path on the turn, responded well when asked outside the quarter-pole, came under a left-handed crop while extending the advantage outside the furlong marker, remained clear into the final sixteenth and held under strong urging. TRUST ISSUES broke a step slow, was rated off the pace, raced under a tight hold late on the backstretch, was let out in the two then three path on the turn then roused near the five-sixteenths pole, swung out to the five path into the stretch, rallied outside into the final furlong and closed well but was too late while clear for the place. TREATY OBLIGATION was hustled from the gate then coaxed along off the pace, chased in the four path on the turn, turned into upper stretch under a drive. remained on his inside lead until just outside the sixteenth-pole then swapped to the proper lead and lacked the needed kick while clear for the show. BIG HAT WILLIE was hustled from the gate then rated off the pace, raced under a snug hold outside the half-mile pole, saved ground on the turn, was given his cue outside the five-sixteenths pole, came off the inside while chasing in upper stretch and also lacked the needed kick. CONNIVING was bumped by MISCHIEVOUS M at the start then forced out solidly into GARDINER, raced under urging then settled into stride, was roused at the seven-sixteenths pole, dropped back in the four then three path on the turn, moved to the two path coming to the quarter-pole, came out in upper stretch and failed to rally. DISARMED was hustled from the gate, tracked the leader down the backstretch, was asked around the seven-sixteenths pole, chased in the three path on the turn, turned into the stretch under the crop, dropped back into the final furlong then drifted out and tired. GARDINER was hustled from the gate then bumped soundly by CONNIVING and steadied, dropped back under urging on the outside, raced inside a foe passing the nine-sixteenths pole, dropped from the six path to the five path on the turn, spun into the stretch in the six path and failed to threaten. PROTECTED was guided out to avoid contact just after the start, raced at the rear on the outside, dropped back while in hand late on the backstretch, rounded the turn in the five path, came out to the seven path into the stretch, moved in inside the furlong marker and was no factor.