BY BROCK SHERIDAN
APRIL 12, 2003—Edmund A. Gann’s Peace Rules led from flag to finish with jockey Edgar Prado aboard to win the Grade 1 Toyota Blue Grass by three-and-a-half lengths at Keeneland Race Course. Sent to the post as the 3-5 favorite, Peace Rules was the second Kentucky Derby prep-race winner on the day for trainer Bobby Frankel, who had saddled Empire Maker to victory an hour earlier at Aqueduct.
“Our horse is probably the second-string in Bobby Frankel’s mind,” Gann was quoted as saying in an article published by AP. “Of course, we’re not giving up right yet.”
After breaking from post two, Prado had Peace Rules on the lead going into the clubhouse turn and was a length-and-a-half clear through quarter-mile fractions of :23.40 and :47.10. Brancusi, who entered the Blue Grass off a third-place finish as a 48-1 longshot in the San Felipe, tried to apply pressure around the far turn under Tony Farina but could not keep pace with Peace Rules in the run for home. Peace Rules drew off to win in 1:51.73 on the fast track. Brancusi was second with Offlee Wild third.
Peace Rules paid $3.20 to win.
It was the fourth straight victory for Peace Rules after winning the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds on March 9. He started his streak by taking the Grade 3 Generous at Hollywood Park in November then finished his 2-year-old campaign by winning the $76,350 Hill Rise (Listed) at Santa Anita in December.
Following the Blue Grass in the Kentucky Derby (G1), Peace Rules pressed Brancusi through the six furlongs in 1:10.48 and took a clear around the far turn with Funny Cide giving chase in second to his outside. Funny Cide went to the front in the stretch to win the Derby by nearly two lengths ahead of a late running Empire Maker in second with Peace Rules just a head behind his stablemate in third.
Peace Rules also led through six furlongs in the Preakness (G1) before finishing fourth behind Funny Cide with longshot Midway Road second and Scrimshaw third.
Peace Rules returned to win the Haskell Invitational Handicap (G1), was second to Ten Most Wanted in the Travers (G1) then disappointed to finish last of 13 in the NetJets Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) won by Six Perfections (Fr).
As a 4-year-old, Peace Rules won the New Orleans Handicap (G2) at Fair Grounds, the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) as the highweight under 120 pounds and the Suburban Handicap (G1), again under the top weight assignment of 120 pounds at Belmont Park. He started once more, finishing sixth in the Whitney (G1).
Peace Rules was by Bridlewood Farm stallion Jules, out of Hold to Fashion, by Hold Your Peace and was bred in Florida by Newchance Farm. He did not meet his reserve as a yearling at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales October Sale but sold for $35,000 to Gary Contessa at the OBS March Sale.
He retired with nine wins, two seconds and two thirds and earnings of $3,084,278, which still ranks at No. 11 on the list of all-time richest Florida-bred money earners. He began his stud career in 2005 at Tom Simon’s Vinery near Summerfield, Fla., before being sold in 2009 to the Korea Racing Authority to stand at Jeju Stud Farm.
Return to the April 12 issue of Wire to Wire
