HORSE RACING Peace Rules, Strong Hope prevail

Funny Cide and Empire Maker will rematch Aug. 23 in the Travers Stakes.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Funny Cide never had a chance in the $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park.
The Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner started slowly and was unable to find his rhythm, finishing an uninspired third Sunday -- nine lengths behind the winner, Peace Rules.
"We're disappointed with the performance," said co-owner Jack Knowlton, managing partner of Sackatoga Stable. "But the horses who beat him are very nice horses."
Funny Cide, the even-money favorite in the seven-horse field, was making his first start since falling short of a Triple Crown with a third-place finish in the Belmont Stakes on June 7. The colt who beat him in the Belmont also returned to the races Sunday, with Empire Maker finishing a neck behind Strong Hope in the $500,000 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga.
Race preparation
Both 3-year-olds were using the races as preps for their rematch in the $1 million Travers Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 23. Despite the losses, the "Mid-Summer Derby" is still the primary objective for both.
"He will train up to the Travers and the race will be much anticipated even though the two big horses didn't win today," said Knowlton, who arrived at Monmouth along with Funny Cide's entourage in their now familiar yellow school bus brigade.
Trainer Bobby Frankel was at Saratoga to saddle Empire Maker, but wasn't too upset his 1-5 favorite came up short at the wire.
"He was wide and had to make a big run to catch up," Frankel said. "Then he hung before seeing Strong Hope in front of him where he made another run. Still, he ran hard. I don't feel bad about losing this race. I think this race will set him up for the Travers."
Both Funny Cide and Empire Maker may have more than each other to deal with in the Travers. Peace Rules' 13/4-length win over Sky Mesa gives Frankel another Travers contender.
"I have to think about running him in the Travers," said Frankel, although the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 24 remains an option. "There's a chance that both horses may be going to the Travers. If Peace Rules does go, that's going to make the race really interesting."
Running away
The Haskell proved an easy test for Peace Rules, who loves to run on or near the lead. The chestnut colt broke first from the No. 1 post and was never challenged as he covered the 11/8 miles in 1:491/5. Funny Cide, ridden by Jose Santos, was fifth for most of the race before passing horses in the stretch to gain third. At no time did the chestnut gelding have a chance to catch the leaders.
Strong Hope held on to upset the heavily favored Empire Maker by a nose to take the $500,000 Jim Dandy.
Strong Hope, ridden by John Velazquez and trained by Todd Pletcher, ran the 11/8-mile race for 3-year-olds in 1:48 on a fast track.